Muhammad Ali's visit to Halifax remembered by Buddy Daye's daughters

The daughters of late Nova Scotia boxer and community activist Buddy Daye, Melinda and Leslie, are mourning the loss of Muhammad Ali — a man they got to know personally when he visited Halifax in 1987 to promote a boxing match.

"Growing up in a boxing household, it was almost like he was our family member because on Saturdays when he would fight, we would watch ABC, Howard Cosell and the fights," said Leslie Daye. "We are saddened today because we lost a brother."

Ali died at age 74 Friday night after battling Parkinson's disease for 32 years.

Ali visited George Dixon Centre

Buddy Daye and Ali got to know one another through mutual friend and American boxing promoter Murad Muhammad. Melinda Daye said her father had the kind of relationship with Ali where he could just pick up the phone and call him.

In addition to promoting the fight, Ali also stopped by Province House and made a point to visit children at the George Dixon Centre.

Connecting with the community 

"The children were coming from far and wide because they heard Muhammad Ali was there. I know that it was important for him to visit the young black children," said Leslie Daye.

When he was at Province House, Leslie Daye said Ali performed magic tricks for everyone.

"It was astonishing how high he was able to levitate off of the ground. I don't know yet how he was able to do it. It just speaks to how magical a man that he was. He touched people in so many different ways and he definitely touched our hearts that day," she said.

Family similarities

Melinda Daye says she was able to connect with Ali's daughter, Rasheda, when she visited Halifax in 2007 to talk about Parkinson's disease.

"Us sisters, we got ourselves together with all of our pictures and we went to where she was speaking that night here in Halifax and she was just taken ... with these pictures of her dad here in Halifax with this family because she didn't know," said Melinda.

The sisters said they were able to relate to Rasheda as daughters of boxing legends and strong fathers.

'He was our hero'

Melinda Daye said the world lost a "truly great man, a legacy, a legend." She said Ali was "the people's champion."

​"Not just the boxing ring, but what he did for us as a people, how he stood up for us. You just don't forget those type of things. He was our hero and we knew he was sick, but it's hard losing him. Our thoughts, our love and our prayers go to Rasheda and his wife and all the family," said Melinda Daye.