The Time Muhammad Ali Stopped a Suicide on the Streets of L.A.

The Champ’s greatest victories didn’t always happen in a ring.

On a warm day in 1981, a distressed young man climbed onto the ninth-floor ledge of a Los Angeles building and threatened to jump. Police negotiators tried everything. Nothing worked.

Then someone had an idea:
Call Muhammad Ali.

Ali happened to be in the area. Within minutes, he arrived, walked past police, got into a service elevator, and went up to the ledge. He approached the man softly, speaking with that tone fans around the world recognized from his interviews: kind, warm, human.

Witnesses say Ali told him:

“You’re my brother. I love you. We’re going to get through this together.”

After 20 minutes of talking, the man stepped back inside. Ali hugged him.

Ali then drove the young man to a police station to ensure he got help — and later paid for his treatment.

The story barely made headlines.

But sometimes the greatest punches are the ones thrown without gloves.