TV One is pre-empting its regularly scheduled programming today, June 10, to broadcast live the Memorial Service of American Olympic and 3-time World Heavyweight Champion Boxer Muhammad Ali. Beginning at 2 p.m. ET, Roland S. Martin, host of TV One's News One Now, the only daily live news program dedicated to Black viewers, will report from the show's Washington, D.C. studios. In addition, TV One will continue to celebrate the life of "The Greatest of All Time" with a special encore presentation of the one-hour documentary, "Muhammad Ali: Fighting Spirit," airing at 7 p.m. ET. The special reviews the epic journey of Ali, who was crowned "Sportsman of the Century" by SPORTS ILLUSTRATED and the BBC in 1999.
"Muhammad Ali was an iconic figure who was an unapologetic Black man and a world figure. We are proud to continue our weeklong coverage since his death by carrying his funeral live on TV One," said Martin. In the past,
TV One has broken into coverage to carry the funerals of Coretta Scott King, Dr. Dorothy Height and the memorial service for the Charleston 9. We believe the homecoming service of 'The Greatest' is deserving of such an honor."
Martin and guest panelists will also share commentary during the entire public service, which is taking place in Ali's hometown of Louisville, Ky., at the KFC YUM! Center. This live broadcast closes out News One Now's weeklong commitment to honoring Ali, which included a dedicated show on Monday, June 6, and daily news features capturing his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, social justice and the black community.
Throughout "Muhammad Ali: Fighting Spirit," interviews and archival footage feature notable celebrities, athletes, family members and more, including boxing historian Bert Sugar, childhood neighbor Lawrence Montgomery, Former CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center Michael Fox, journalist Eugene Kabala, Singer-Songwriter Prince, Actor Will Smith and Ali's wife, Yolanda. The special also includes stock footage of Ali's practice fights, as well his humanitarian visits to Cuba and Afghanistan.
"TV One has historically honored the legacy of iconic trailblazers with compelling storytelling and content on multiple platforms," said Dexter Cole, TV One's SVP, Program Scheduling & Acquisitions. "With the recent passing of Muhammad Ali, we continue this great tradition of honor through this engaging documentary that not only will raise our spirits but also showcase why he was truly 'The Greatest.'"
One of the most legendary athletes, Ali was the winner of the World Heavyweight Champion title three times, and an Olympic Light-heavyweight gold medalist. He made a reputation as a fighter who could back up his confident talk with winning action in the ring. A masterful self-promoter, Ali gained worldwide notoriety for his colorful phrases as well as his ability to take on and defeat virtually every top Heavyweight in his era; the golden age of Heavyweight Boxing.
In addition to TV One's airing of "Muhammad Ali: Fighting Spirit," viewers can log on to TVOne.tv to watch four 5-minute feature segments, including interviews with Ali's daughter Laila Ali, Boxing Promoter Don King, Cuban Boxer Teofilo Stevenson, as well as a brief overview of the boxing world.
For more information about TV One's tribute to Muhammad Ali, visit the network's companion website at www.tvone.tv.
TV One viewers can join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) using the hash tag #TVOneHonorsAli, and also catch clips and promos on TV One's
Youtube Channel.
