‘He was a personal bodyguard for Muhammad Ali’… Khalil Rountree talks about his father, who protected the boxing legend and managed Boyz II Men

Khalil Rountree has given a fascinating insight into the life of his father, who was a bodyguard for Muhammad Ali and managed Boyz II Men.

The dad of the light heavyweight contender was tragically murdered when his son was just two-years-old.

Photo by Al Powers/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Khalil Rountree reveals that his dad was a bodyguard for Muhammad Ali

On October 5, at UFC 307 inside the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, Khalil Rountree will put it all on the line when he faces Alex Pereira for light heavyweight gold.

Blessed with lethal hands, honed through years of Muay Thai training, the American has the perfect style on paper, to gel with the Brazilian’s Glory kickboxing, to give the fans an exhilarating contest.

The Los Angeles fighter’s road to the title has been even more difficult than most, with Rountree having to overcome the devastating loss of his father.

Khalil Rountree Sr lived an interesting life, keeping Muhammad Ali safe as his personal bodyguard, as well as managing Boyz II Men and New Edition.

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During the UFC 307 Countdown Show, his son said: “When I was two-years-old, my father was murdered. He was a manager for Boyz II Men, New Edition; there was a time in his career where he was a personal bodyguard for Muhammad Ali.”

The documentary then showed the MMA star talking about a plaque Boyz II Men had given him of a record, featuring an interlude with the name he shares with his father.