**Aleks Paunovic Reflects on Meeting Muhammad Ali and His Journey to ‘The Greatest’**
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Aleks Paunovic, the actor known for his compelling roles on screen, recently shared the deeply emotional journey that led him to portray Muhammad Ali’s early manager, William Faversham Jr., in the new series *The Greatest*. The show premiered on November 4 and is a testament to the lasting legacy of the boxing icon, who passed away in 2016.
In a conversation with *PEOPLE*, Paunovic recounted the serendipitous way he met his childhood hero, Muhammad Ali, back in 2009. Paunovic, who had grown up idolising the boxing legend, described the profound impact that Ali had on his life—not only through his extraordinary boxing prowess but also through his unyielding integrity and charisma.
With a rich boxing heritage—three generations of his family having been involved in the sport—Paunovic remembers vividly the Saturday afternoons spent watching Ali fight with his father. “It was not just about his victories in the ring,” he said. “It was his personality and his intelligence, the way he could speak and engage with people. He made boxing feel joyous rather than brutal.”
The admiration Paunovic held for Ali deepened over the years, particularly as he learned about Ali’s convictions and resilience in the face of adversity. “He was a man of principle, unafraid to stand up for what he believed in, even when it meant facing criticism and opposition,” Paunovic reflected. This alignment with Ali’s values led him to feel a strong emotional connection, describing the iconic boxer as a ‘second father’ figure in his life.
The opportunity to meet Ali came about unexpectedly when Paunovic was struggling to break into acting. In 2009, he was asked to work as a bodyguard for Ali at a charity event in Vancouver. Initially hesitant to pursue a fleeting encounter, his outlook dramatically shifted when he found out he would be responsible for Ali’s safety. “I could hardly believe it,” he recalled, excitement rising as he prepared to protect the man he had long admired.
When they finally met, the moment was overwhelming for Paunovic. He described experiencing tearful emotions as he found himself face-to-face with Ali for the first time. “It took me a second to process, and then the tears started,” he said, reflecting on the poignant atmosphere of that meeting. Paunovic’s connection with Ali’s wife, Lonnie, added to the moment, as she kindly reassured him and captured a photograph of the two legends together.
That day, Ali’s warmth and charisma left a lasting impression on Paunovic. “I thought that was it. I had met the man I’d admired all my life,” he remarked, still moved by the encounter. Little did he know, this initial meeting would not be the end of their connection.
Fast forward nearly two decades, and Paunovic found himself stepping into the role of Faversham in *The Greatest*. For him, this was more than just an acting job; it marked a pivotal moment in his life. Having once had aspirations to become an Olympic boxer that were foiled by injury, portraying Faversham felt like a way to honour both Ali’s legacy and his own journey.
The significance of the series deepened when Paunovic reunited with Lonnie Ali on set. Their shared memories from that emotional first meeting brought smiles and laughter as they embraced the project that showcases the profound story of her late husband. Paunovic expressed how surreal it felt to not only play a part in telling Ali’s narrative but to do so with the blessing of the Muhammad Ali estate.
Working on *The Greatest* has also provided Paunovic with fresh insights into Ali’s character. He noted that witnessing fellow actor Jaalen Best embody Ali’s essence on screen was a transformative experience. “Jaalen captured Ali’s spirit so well, right down to the way he shook hands,” Paunovic shared, admitting that he felt a wave of nostalgia watching Best recreate iconic moments from Ali’s fights that had long inspired him.
Reflecting on his own journey from Winnipeg to his current acting career, Paunovic noted the overwhelming sense of nostalgia that enveloped him while filming. “To see those historic moments recreated before my eyes was almost surreal,” he exclaimed, recalling how he had watched countless hours of Ali’s fight footage on VHS.
Despite his extensive background in boxing, Paunovic offered no coaching to Best, instead appreciating the craft and dedication displayed by his co-star. “There was nothing I could teach him. I just admired the hard work he put in,” he said, a sentiment shared by many chefs wanting to soak up inspiration from other greats in their field.
In summation, Aleks Paunovic’s journey, from a tearful encounter with Ali to performing as a key figure in his life, is indeed a story of fate and legacy. The actor termed working on *The Greatest* as one of his most enriching experiences, highlighting the unique full-circle nature of his life. The series is now available on Amazon Prime Video, enabling fans to further engage with the inspiring legacy of Muhammad Ali.
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