Early Life/Boxing/Retirement
Early Life
Muhammad Ali born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942. He changed his name to Muhammad Ali in 1964 after joining Nation of Islam. Muhammad Ali has been married four times and has seven daughters and two sons. Muhammad Ali won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.
When Cassius was twelve years old, someone stole his bike. He was very angry. He told a police officer that he was going to beat up the person who stole it. It turned out that the officer, Joe Martin, was a boxing coach. Joe told Cassius that he better learn how to fight before he tried beating anyone up. Cassius took Joe up on his offer and was soon learning how to box. Cassius discovered that he had a real talent for boxing. He was much faster than other fighters his size. He could throw a quick punch and then dodge out of the way before the other fighter could react. He fought 105 fights as an amateur fighter, winning 100 and only losing 5. He also won several Gold Glove championships and was soon considered one of the best amateur light-heavyweight boxers in the world.
In 1964, Ali converted to the religion of Islam. He first changed his name from Cassius Clay to Cassius X, but later changed it to Muhammad Ali. A few years later he was drafted into the army. He said he didn't want to join the army because of his religion. Because he refused to join the army, the boxing association didn't allow him to fight for three years starting in 1967.
Muhammad Ali born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942. He changed his name to Muhammad Ali in 1964 after joining Nation of Islam. Muhammad Ali has been married four times and has seven daughters and two sons. Muhammad Ali won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.
When Cassius was twelve years old, someone stole his bike. He was very angry. He told a police officer that he was going to beat up the person who stole it. It turned out that the officer, Joe Martin, was a boxing coach. Joe told Cassius that he better learn how to fight before he tried beating anyone up. Cassius took Joe up on his offer and was soon learning how to box. Cassius discovered that he had a real talent for boxing. He was much faster than other fighters his size. He could throw a quick punch and then dodge out of the way before the other fighter could react. He fought 105 fights as an amateur fighter, winning 100 and only losing 5. He also won several Gold Glove championships and was soon considered one of the best amateur light-heavyweight boxers in the world.
In 1964, Ali converted to the religion of Islam. He first changed his name from Cassius Clay to Cassius X, but later changed it to Muhammad Ali. A few years later he was drafted into the army. He said he didn't want to join the army because of his religion. Because he refused to join the army, the boxing association didn't allow him to fight for three years starting in 1967.
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”
Boxing Life
Unlike many heavyweight boxers, Ali's boxing style was based more on quickness and skill than power. He looked to avoid or deflect blows rather than absorb them. Ali used an orthodox stance when fighting, but he would sometimes keep his hands down, tempting his opponent to take a wild punch. Ali would then counter attack. He also liked to "stick and move", meaning he would throw a quick punch and then dance away before his opponent could counter. He was an incredible athlete and only his superior speed and stamina allowed him to do this for 15 rounds. Upon becoming a professional boxer, Ali had great success. He won several fights in a row, defeating most of his opponents by knockout. In 1964, he got his chance to fight for the title. He defeated Sonny Liston by knockout when Liston refused to come out and fight in the seventh round. Muhammad Ali was now the heavyweight champion of the world. |
Retirement
Muhammad Ali retired from boxing in 1981 after losing a bout to Trevor Berbick. He spent much of his time after boxing working for charities. He also suffered from Parkinson's disease starting in 1984. Because of his work with charities and helping other people, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 from President George Bush. |
Awards and Accomplishment
Sportsman Of The Century
Muhammad Ali always said he was 'The Greatest'. In 1999, 12th of December, the British public agreed by naming him BBC Sports Personality of the Century. He is the only one to be named "Sportsman of the Century" by the BBC. Ali, who won more votes than the other four candidates together, collected his award at a star-studded gala occasion in London. The finest sporting heroes in Britain gazed in awe as Ali stood at the centre of the studio, boxing stars past and present having paid their own tributes to the man they unanimously called their mentor. Fighter Of The Year
Muhammad Ali defeated every top heavyweight in his era, which has been called the golden age of heavyweight boxing. Ali was named "Fighter of the Year" by The Ring magazine more times than any other fighter, and was involved in more Ring "Fight of the Year" bouts than any other fighter. |
The Greatest
Ali is regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time by boxing commentators and historians. Ring Magazine, a prominent boxing magazine, named him number 1 in a 1998 ranking of greatest heavyweights from all eras. The Associated Press voted Ali the No. 1 heavyweight of the 20th century in 1999. In December 2007, ESPN listed Ali second in its choice of the greatest heavyweights of all time, behind Joe Louis. Ali was named the second greatest pound for pound fighter in boxing history by ESPN, behind only welterweight and middleweight great Sugar Ray Robinson.
Ali is regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time by boxing commentators and historians. Ring Magazine, a prominent boxing magazine, named him number 1 in a 1998 ranking of greatest heavyweights from all eras. The Associated Press voted Ali the No. 1 heavyweight of the 20th century in 1999. In December 2007, ESPN listed Ali second in its choice of the greatest heavyweights of all time, behind Joe Louis. Ali was named the second greatest pound for pound fighter in boxing history by ESPN, behind only welterweight and middleweight great Sugar Ray Robinson.