An international parade of athletes, a presentation of music and dance, that smooth announcer voice, and Muhammed Ali.

No, it wasn’t the opening ceremonies for the Olympics—where the legendary boxer lit the torch the last time the summer games were in the U.S.

That scene took place right here yesterday afternoon at the Chicago Theatre on State Street.

That’s where organizers of the AIBA World Boxing Championships were no doubt looking to evoke memories of Olympics past—and hopes of  an Olympic future.

Mayor Richard M. Daley welcomed the nearly 700 boxers here from around the world for the competition and made a plug for the Windy City’s global reputation.

Amongst the attributes Daley and Chicago 2016 bid organizers hope to sell to the International Olympic Committee is a rich athletic history—including one in boxing.

Northeastern Illinois University History Professor Steven Riess has studied that history.