Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999 | 10:22 a.m.
As longtime manager for the famous illusionists Siegfried and Roy, Bernie Yuman had a reference point when asked how long he deliberated about becoming Muhammad Ali's new manager.
"About one-sixteenth of a second," Yuman said. "It took me about the time it takes (Siegfried and Roy to make) an elephant to disappear ... to say yes."
Yuman, who will continue his 24-year relationship with Siegfried and Roy, will open a new management company in January with offices in Beverly Hills and Las Vegas. Ali will be his first client.
The boxing icon has been physically ravaged by Parkinson's Disease during the past decade but Yuman said he's still very capable of communicating and spreading goodwill among the people of the world.
"His health is good. Mentally, he's as sharp as the day I met him," said Yuman, who has maintained a relationship with Ali for 35 years.
Yuman said he first met Ali in Miami in 1964, when Yuman was playing football in junior high school and Ali was training for his breakthrough title fight against Sonny Liston. They were introduced on a golf course where Ali was jogging.
"I've chosen Bernie Yuman as my manager because of his passion and understanding for who I am and what I represent," Ali said in a statement. "After more than 35 years of friendship, I believe the time is now for Bernie Yuman and his new company to guide my future."
Yuman would not be specific about the projects he had planned for Ali.
"They will be far-reaching projects with global appeal but that's all I'm prepared to say right now," Yuman said, adding that some of the projects could bring Ali to Las Vegas on a semi-regular basis.
"Starting in January, 2000, I believe we will bring the Ali message and experience to people of the world. This is a man of incredible human spirit who has overcome every type of adversity ... a man who has demonstrated tremendous integrity."
Yuman said Siegfried and Roy are totally supportive of his new business venture.
He said when the illusionists learned that Ali would be the cornerstone of the new business, they told Yuman he would foolish not to pursue it.
"Siegfried told me that's great, that it's a chance to live up to my (full) potential," Yuman said. "And Roy, too. He said 'do it.' "
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