Muhammad Ali Black Superman: Singapore 1973

Boxing: Happy World 1950's

I used to watch boxing and wrestling matches as a young boy at the Happy World stadium in the 1950's and 1960's with my father. It would be an affair to remember when we would go in the evening to Geylang Road opposite Lorong One where the Stadium used to be.

Both the sports overlapped to television when live matches in Singapore gently faded off into the Geylang sunset for many reasons. Then it was boxing and wrestling USA but this time around we watched on the goggle box from 1963 when it first came to our island.

Muhammad Ali: 

Height: 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m)
Heavy Weight: 225 lbs. (102 kg)
Reach: 84 inches (213 cm)
Fist: 12.5 inches (286 cm)

'He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.'

Billy Crystal: 15 Rounds With Mohd. Ali. Video by: Ali Abdulrazaq Nassir

RIP: 1942 - 2016.

Muhammad the black superman
Who says to the other guy, catch me if you can*

The boxer (former Cassius Clay), created much attention when he shone under the hot and bright lights of the boxing ring. He became a world champ and there is so much to read about him in the media that it's best readers check them out for further information. 

I remember Ali as the Louisville Lip, the boxer who could float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, and who fought in the Philippines with banners announcing, The Thrilla In Manila. Of course his resounding repeats of, I'm the Greatest, will live in my memory. 

He knows how to talk and he knows how to fight
And all the contenders were beat out of sight*

Despite all his ferocity, timely jibes and jeers at his opponents, I had always noticed the glint in his eyes. He must be having fun with the people around him, I thought.  But like his contemporary Bruce Lee, Ali was a perfectionist within. And with all confidence and seriousness. He mentioned that he hated every minute of training but, 'I don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'

Singapore 1973

He came to Singapore during his peak in 1973, arriving at Paya Lebar Airport on October 22nd to give two five-round exhibition bouts with sparring partners Tony Doyle and Orianso Johnson.  I would have paid the $5 to watch him in person; it was a great pity because I was away in New Zealand that year. 

During his time in Singapore, he stayed with his wife and mother at the Mandarin Hotel in Orchard Road.  His visit created quite a stir as he was introduced to local boxers before his sparring sessions in the evening.  

He fills the arena wherever he goes
And everyone gets what they paid for*

More than 2,000 people witnessed the occasion paying from $5 to $100 to watch Ali spar with his partners. The venue was the former National Stadium at Kallang. The new stadium had just been opened in July 1973.

Ali held up his hands in victory before a happy and excited crowd after the exhibition matches. 'Friendship is not something you learn in school. If you haven't learnt the meaning of friendship you haven't learnt anything.'

Song: 1975

One more thought remains in my mind. At his peak, there was a song written about him. Johnny Wakelin wrote and sang, Black Superman (Muhammad Ali) in honour of the boxer, hoping to get a better foothold in the pop music world. 

Pity, Ali didn't like Wakelin's composition but the lyrics and uplifting, jingle-like rhythm attracted listeners and in January 1975, it scored #7 in the UK Singles Chart, @1 in Australia and Singapore, and spent six months on the US Billboard Hot 100 (Wikipedia). 

Kuala Lumpur: 1975

The Muhammad Ali and Joe Bugner fight in K.L. led Yusnor Ef (composer of 250 Malay pops) to write the Malay lyrics of Kung Fu Fighting renamed, Pendekar Mustar. It was sung by Ruslan Yus and became a pop hit in Malaysia and Singapore. 

Yusnor managed to meet Muhammad Ali with Ruslan at the Merdeka Stadium in person. The late Dato' Haron Idris, Mentri Besar of Selangor introduced them. Yusnor gave the CD to the champion boxer who thanked him. Try as he might, Yusnor could not get a photograph of their meeting nor find the person who took their picture together.

If you have stories to tell about this great boxer, please write in.

Black Superman - Muhammad Ali - Johnny Wakelin. Video from Goeky.

Images/Info: Straits Times Press pictures from Singapore Heritage Board.
*Lyrics: Black Superman, Muhammad Ali by Jimmy Wakelin.

An original article.

Ali and Bob Dylan: Madison Square Garden 1975. Ali gave him a big box... no, a  huge boxing glove during Night of Hurricane Benefit.

Dr Charles Koh: Gynaecologist Flamingos Combo

Remember Charles Koh from the Flamingos Combo? I do. Whenever he comes over from the U.S. the newspapers would announce his arrival. A gynaecologist, they say, cannot be a musician. 

But Dr. Koh is both, and an excellent one at that. A Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from NUS (1967) he now practises in the US.  Here's the truth unravelled as his colleague Dr. Raymond Tan and friend John Cher tell us about this extraordinary man.

UP TO 2,000 VIEWS - 15 COMMENTS

I must thank them both for the articles below:

Dr. Raymond Tan says: "I was a medical student during the mid-sixties and Charles Koh was a few years my senior. Charles was a bright student who won the State Scholarship (equivalent to today's President's Scholarship). I was always amazed at how Charles could spend his evenings playing music in a hightclub (Rose D'or - Lido Cinema, Shaw House, Orchard Road) and still keep up with his medical studies.

Charles was a colleague and senior when I worked in the Gynae and Surgery departments. He left in 1971 for UK where he obtained his specialist degree in Gynecology. He later on moved to US and became a successful gynecologist.

The Flamingos music was sometimes broadcast live over radio (RTS) and they played beautiful music with Charles (a self taught musician) playing on the vibraphone. Charles was quite versatile and could sing and play a few other instruments."

John Cher says: "Charles Koh indeed loves music and despite his status as a doctor of eminence in the USA, he was unassuming and soft spoken. His two sons are into music as well. I remember having lots of fun jamming with all of them at a church music room many years ago. He used to return to Singapore about once a year and his good friend, James Choa, another member of The Flamingos would arrange for jamming sessions. 

The very last time we jammed was at The Peranakan Restaurant in the basement of Hotel Negara at Orchard Road. The boss of the restaurant Bob plays the piano and sings as well. Jimmy Chan, who was also with The Flamingos at one point, used to drop by after he completed work at The Mandarin Hotel. After the last customer had left, Bob would lock up and we would jam till the wee hours! 

Always remember Jimmy's joke that dying and going to the washroom is the same. If you have to go, you have to go! Lost touch with Charles completely after the passing of James about 3 years ago. Always nice to recall about the old days!"

Anglo Chinese School Class Of 59/61 says:  Within the Flamingos Combo, Charles Koh was in a vocal group called the Gaylads. "Before you jump to conclusions, we would state categorically that Charles is not that way inclined but how the name Gaylads came about merits explanation. 

Before joining ACS, Charles with Peter Loh Boon Tan and Robert Gay studied at the Presbyterian Boys School (PBS). When the group was formed, the name Gaylads was decided on to honour their PBS Principal, Mr. Gay Wan Guay, who happened to be Robert’s father."

Many readers know Dr. Koh. Do write in.


NB:
On the internet, articles abound about Dr. Koh. Here's one:

"He is an infertiity microsurgeon who merged the art of microsurgery to laparoscopic surgery and performed the first laparoscopic microsurgical tubal anastomosis in 1992. He has applied this convergence to the art of radical endometriosis surgery with fertility preservation and organ repair for the past 20 years.

He has created many innovations, inventions and techniques for advances in laparoscopic surgery, lectures and performs demonstration surgeries around the world.

In 2009, Dr Koh was awarded the Distinguished Surgeon Award from the Society of Reproductive Surgeons, American Society of Reproductive Medicine. He was the former President of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (2009)."

For further reading go to:

http://www.endofound.org/blossomball/2012

http://www.acs59.com/golden/vintage_year.htm


Disclaimer:
This article is not an advertisement and does not promote any person or persons. The doctor mentioned is a personal friend of the two writers.

Images: The Straits Times Singapore; Google; Dr. Charles Koh Website.