Muhammad Ali – Boxing Legend

Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.) is a legendary American professional boxer. Absolute world heavyweight champion from 1964-1966 and 1974-1978, six-time winner of the title “Boxer of the Year” and “Boxer of the Decade” according to the authoritative magazine The Ring. Ali is the second boxer in history to receive the “Sports Illustrated” Sportsman of the Year award. He was also recognized as “Sportsman of the Century” by several authoritative sports publications.

Muhammad Ali is a cult figure in the history of professional boxing. His peak of fame was in the 60s and 70s of the last century, but the memory of the legendary athlete lives on. His fighting technique and achievements continue to be an inspiration for many. The story of Muhammad Ali lives on even after the death of one of the greatest boxers in the world.

Muhammad Ali: Facts You May Not Know

• Real name: Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.
• He has one younger brother, Rudolph Valentino Clay, who later took the name Rahman Ali.
• Has Irish roots on his mother’s side
• He started boxing at the age of 12.
• I was afraid of flying on an airplane
• Muhammad Ali’s fight with Joe Frazier inspired Sylvester Stallone to create the film “Rocky”
• His record is 21 defeats of heavyweight world title challengers and 14 defeats of pound-for-pound challengers.
• In 1964, he joined an organization called the Nation of Islam and changed his name first to Cassius X and then to Muhammad Ali, by which he is known throughout the world.
• He was stripped of all titles and the right to fight for three years after refusing to serve in the US Army at the peak of his career.
• After being suspended, he regained his championship title, and his fights with Joe Frazier and George Foreman became some of the most memorable and famous in the history of world sports.
• Muhammad Ali had 105 amateur fights, 100 of which he won.
• During his professional career, he fought 61 fights, of which he lost only 5, and won 37 by knockout.
• After finishing his career, he spent 10 years doing charity work and was also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
• Muhammad Ali’s biography is described in two books written by his younger brother

Childhood

Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. was born on January 17, 1942, to artist Cassius Clay and Odessa Clay. The Clays lived in a small town called Louisville, Kentucky. Almost a year and a half later, Cassius Marcellus’ only brother was born. At birth, he was given the name Rudolph Valentino Clay.

The father of the future champion, known to the world by his Muslim name Muhammad Ali, was engaged in drawing posters and signs. He liked to drink and had affairs on the side. As the boxer’s entourage claimed, Cassius disliked his father for such behavior. In his interviews, the boxer practically did not talk about his father and preferred not to touch on this topic.

Muhammad Ali’s mother worked in wealthy Louisiana homes. She cleaned and cooked. In Louisville in the 1950s, racial inequality was widespread. This had a serious impact on the development of the future boxer’s personality. His mother studied her family tree and discovered that her grandfather was from Ireland. She was very proud of this, but Muhammad was the opposite. Later, he repeatedly said that “white blood” made him weaker.

The future legend began boxing at the age of 12. This decision was not made by chance. Clay Jr. worked part-time and bought a Schwinn bicycle, but it was stolen at a local fair. This made the boy very angry. He turned to police officer Joe Martin, saying that he would beat up the person who did it. The policeman made one important remark to the boy: “Before you beat someone, you first need to learn how to do it.” Joe Martin invited Cassius to the gym where he trained boxers.

Amateur boxing

Cassius Clay Jr. didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation and immediately began training. Six weeks later, he had his debut fight. His opponent was Ronnie O’Keefe, who was older and more experienced. Both teenage boxers competed in the 40.389 kg category. The fight attracted public attention. It was even shown on the Future Champions TV show. Cassius won and began shouting directly into the camera that he would become the greatest boxer.

The first victory had a strong influence on the future champion. He really decided to become the best. Cassius trained constantly and worked on developing his endurance. The teenager was a fan of healthy eating and lifestyle. He did not smoke or drink. While his peers went to school by bus, he went jogging.

For the next two years, he spent an average of one fight a week in the ring. No one could beat him. In 1956, when the future Muhammad Ali was 14, he won the Golden Gloves tournament. A year later, he had to stop training for four months because of a heart murmur. It turned out later that there was nothing wrong with his heart.

Louisville Central High School

At the age of 15, Clay Jr. transferred to Louisville Central High School. His grades were so poor that he was even held back a year. The school’s principal, Atwood Wilson, saw a talented boxer in the teenager and helped him graduate. He believed that Cassius would bring glory to the school by becoming famous. He graduated from school in June 1960 without a diploma, with a certificate of attendance. He had problems with reading for the rest of his life. He often asked people from his circle to read to him.

By the time Cassius graduated from high school, he had 100 wins and only 8 losses at the amateur level. At this time, he began to work on his own style of fighting. The future Muhammad Ali began to “dance” around his opponents on his toes with his hands down, provoking his opponent to a sweeping blow, which he then dodged. This type of fighting caused a lot of negative feedback from boxing veterans and trainers.

Olympic Games

Cassius wanted to go into professional boxing right after finishing school, but his coach persuaded him to wait. He advised the young athlete to set his sights on the upcoming 1960 Olympic Games. Winning the Athletic Union competition earned him an invitation to the qualifying round in San Francisco.

At the age of 18, Cassius became the youngest competitor in the cruiserweight division. Clay was negatively described by the press for his boastful manner of communication, so he was booed during his second fight. This did not stop him from defeating all his opponents, and then the representative of the US Army Alan Hudson. Recalling his flight to San Francisco, he gives up his return ticket and then goes home by train.

When he learns that he will have to fly to participate in the Olympics, he refuses to go. His coach persuades him to overcome his fear, since his future career as a professional is at stake. He agrees, but buys a parachute. In the Olympic village in Rome, he becomes one of the most popular athletes, meeting everyone and telling them that he will win a gold medal.

Cassius kept his promise. He did indeed win the gold medal, winning by unanimous decision. Clay Jr. did not take his trophy off even when he slept until he left for the United States. After becoming an Olympic champion, he went to a local establishment that served only whites. They refused to serve him even when he showed his medal. Very upset about this, he threw his medal into the water while walking across a bridge over the Ohio River. In 1996, the president of the International Olympic Committee, Juan Antonio Samaranch, held a re-ceremony, presenting Muhammad Ali with a duplicate of the lost medal during halftime of a basketball game between the Yugoslavian and American teams.

Professional career and “birth” of Muhammad Ali

To become a professional boxer, Cassius had to choose a manager. He wanted either Sugar Ray Robinson or Joe Louis. Both were his idols and refused. The boxer’s manager was 11 partners, each of whom invested $2,800. He received $10,000 under the contract. The managers covered his training and travel expenses.

Cassius’ debut as a professional boxer took place on October 29, 1960 against Tunney Hunsecker. In addition to standard training, he also sparred with his brother Rudolph every morning and went for a run. The preparation allowed him to quickly defeat his opponent. Tunney predicted success for Clay after the fight, saying that he would definitely become a world champion, and that it was an honor for him to fight him.

Cassius failed to find common ground with Archie Moore and left the famous Bucket of Blood training camp. He returned back to Louisville, and his team chose the experienced Angelo Dundee as a coach, who became his mentor and easily found an approach to him, respecting his opinion and not trying to control him. Cassius moves to Miami and begins to defeat one opponent after another.

At the same time, he heard a speech by the Nation of Islam. In 1964, he changed his name to Muhammad Ali, by which he would be remembered by the entire world. He also converted to Islam. Many believe that he was prompted to make this decision by the racial inequality that his entire family suffered from.

In 1964, Muhammad Ali became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. He retained the title for two years in a row. With a new name comes a new chapter in Muhammad Ali’s life, but not everything went smoothly. In April 1967, he officially refused to serve in the US Army. He was stripped of his title and his license was revoked. The sentence was finally overturned in 1971. During the break, he became a successful speaker, giving lectures at universities.

The overturning of the sentence allowed Muhammad Ali to return to professional boxing and fight anywhere in the United States. In 1971, he suffered his first defeat against Joe Frazier. Ali soon defeated him by unanimous decision in a rematch. In 1974, he had another high-profile fight against Foreman, defeating him. After this fight, Muhammad was given the nickname “The Greatest”, which he gave himself.

The fight with Foreman was the most important in Muhammad Ali’s biography and brought him to the peak of fame. Having become the absolute champion, he earned $5,500,000. After regaining the champion title, his next goal was a fight with Frazier.

On October 1, 1975, his “dream” came true. The fight between Ali and Frazier was called the “Thrilla in Manila” because it turned into a real brawl. In the 14th round, Frazier stopped the fight because a hematoma covered his left eye. He could barely see. The victory went to Ali, who collapsed unconscious in his corner after the fight.

He has been named “Boxer of the Year” five times. In the 1970s, he was named “Boxer of the Decade.” In 1974, Sports Illustrated magazine named Muhammad “Sportsman of the Century.” In 1987, he was first inducted into the American Boxing Hall of Fame, and in 1990, into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

The End of Muhammad Ali’s Career

For several years after the “Thriller in Manila,” Ali fought, but not as memorable or spectacular, and in 1978 he ended his career altogether. His return to the ring in 1980 was dictated not by a desire to fight, but by a need for money.

During his professional boxing career, he earned about $50 million, but found himself practically deprived of a livelihood, since he spent all his money on his entourage, without thinking about the future.

His first opponent was the current champion Larry Holmes. He confidently defeated the legendary boxer, but the $8 million he received for the fight allowed Muhammad Ali to provide for himself. In 1981, he fought Trevor Berbick, holding himself in the ring more confidently, but lost this time too. He invested the money he earned from the fights in real estate and business. This allowed him to provide for himself.

Parkinson’s syndrome

Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with the disease in 1984. He never entered the ring again. Taking medications allowed the legendary boxer to maintain his sanity and reason, so he easily coped with everyday affairs and devoted himself to charity.

Personal life

Muhammad Ali was married four times. His first marriage to Soji Roy lasted only a month and was dissolved because his wife did not want to convert to Islam and behave modestly. His second marriage to Bilnda Boyle produced three daughters and one son. The marriage began to crack after the birth of their last child.

Muhammad met a model named Veronica Porsh. It was she who caused the breakup of Ali’s second marriage. Ali married Veronica, who bore him two children. This marriage lasted nine years. His fourth choice was his long-time friend Yolanthe Williams, with whom they adopted a five-year-old boy. The legendary boxer also has two more illegitimate children.

The Death of Muhammad Ali

The legendary boxer passed away on June 2, 2016. The cause of death was septic shock. The funeral took place in Louisville. All flags were lowered in the city on the day of the funeral. The farewell ceremony took place at the KFC Yumi arena, and the funeral procession passed through all the places important to the boxer.