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Who Was Muhammad Ali?
Muhammad Ali was an iconic boxer, philanthropist, and social activist, widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. He rose to fame by winning an Olympic gold medal in 1960 and the world heavyweight boxing title in 1964. Throughout the 1970s, Ali became a global sensation, reclaiming the heavyweight title twice more, with legendary victories against Joe Frazier and George Foreman. After his retirement in 1981, Ali dedicated much of his life to charitable efforts and earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 for his contributions to both sport and society.
Early Life
Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali grew up in the segregated South, where he faced racial prejudice from an early age. At the age of 12, after his bike was stolen, a fateful encounter with a police officer led him to boxing. The officer, Joe Martin, also trained young boxers, and he encouraged Clay to learn how to fight before seeking revenge on the thief. Clay soon excelled under Martin’s guidance and began his amateur boxing career, winning his first match in 1954 by split decision.
As a teenager, Clay won the 1956 Golden Gloves novice tournament and, three years later, the National Golden Gloves and the Amateur Athletic Union’s national title for the light heavyweight division. He attended Central High School in Louisville, where despite academic struggles, his principal saw his potential and supported his pursuit of boxing.
Olympic Gold
In 1960, Clay earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic boxing team and traveled to Rome. With his towering height of 6’3″ and quick footwork, he dominated the ring, culminating in a victory over Poland’s Zbigniew Pietrzkowski to win the light heavyweight gold medal. After returning from the Olympics, Clay was celebrated as an American hero, and he soon turned professional, winning bouts with his unique style and charisma.
Relationship with Malcolm X and Conversion to Islam
In June 1962, Clay met Nation of Islam minister Malcolm X, and the two quickly formed a close friendship. Malcolm X’s fearless rhetoric and strong leadership deeply influenced Clay. In 1964, while preparing for his historic fight against Sonny Liston, Clay welcomed Malcolm X and his family to his training camp in Florida. After defeating Liston to claim his first world heavyweight championship, Clay publicly announced his affiliation with the Nation of Islam, adopting the name Muhammad Ali.
Although Ali initially aligned with Elijah Muhammad, the Nation’s leader, his relationship with Malcolm X deteriorated. When Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965, Ali expressed little public remorse but later admitted regret over their estrangement, calling it one of the biggest mistakes of his life. During the 1970s, Ali transitioned to orthodox Islam, marking a significant chapter in his spiritual journey.
Muhammad Ali’s legacy extends beyond his achievements in the ring, reflecting his resilience, conviction, and global impact both as an athlete and a humanitarian.
Vietnam War Protest and Supreme Court Case
Muhammad Ali took a bold stance against the Vietnam War, sparking a different kind of battle with his outspoken views. Drafted into military service in April 1967, Ali refused to enlist, citing his role as a Muslim minister and his religious beliefs that prohibited him from fighting in the war. His refusal led to his arrest on felony charges, and he was swiftly stripped of his world title and boxing license.
The U.S. Justice Department denied Ali’s claim for conscientious objector status and pursued a legal case against him. In June 1967, Ali was convicted of violating Selective Service laws and sentenced to five years in prison, though he remained free while appealing the decision. During this time, Ali was unable to compete professionally, which cost him more than three prime years of his boxing career.
Despite his suspension, Ali continued to train on Chicago’s South Side, where he lived from the mid-1960s through the late 1970s. He formed amateur boxing leagues and stayed active in local gyms. Ali was eventually granted a license to fight in 1970 in Georgia, a state without a formal athletic commission, and he made his return to the ring on October 26, 1970, defeating Jerry Quarry in Atlanta. In June 1971, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction, allowing him to fully resume his boxing career.
Muhammad Ali’s Boxing Record
Ali retired in 1981 with an illustrious career record of 56 wins, five losses, and 37 knockouts. Known for his charisma, Ali often proclaimed himself as “The Greatest,” and his legendary bouts are deeply ingrained in boxing history.
- Sonny Liston: Ali first won the heavyweight title by defeating Sonny Liston on February 25, 1964, following his 1960 Olympic gold medal win and a victory over British champion Henry Cooper.
- Joe Frazier: The “Fight of the Century” on March 8, 1971, saw Ali face Joe Frazier. After 15 intense rounds, Frazier knocked Ali down in the final round and won by decision, giving Ali his first professional loss. Ali later avenged this loss, defeating Frazier in two subsequent matches, including the iconic “Thrilla in Manila” in 1975.
- George Foreman: In the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” on October 30, 1974, Ali used his famous “rope-a-dope” strategy to wear down George Foreman, delivering a knockout in the eighth round to reclaim his heavyweight title.
- Leon Spinks: Ali made history as the first boxer to win the heavyweight title three times by defeating Leon Spinks on September 15, 1978, after losing to him earlier that year.
- Larry Holmes: Ali returned from retirement to face Larry Holmes on October 2, 1980, but was outmatched by the younger champion, leading to his eventual retirement in 1981 after a final loss to Trevor Berbick.
Wives, Children, and Family Legacy
Ali was married four times and had nine children. His first marriage, to Sonji Roi, ended in divorce in 1965 after just one year. In 1967, he married Belinda Boyd, with whom he had four children: Maryum, Jamillah, Rasheda, and Muhammad Ali Jr. Their marriage ended in 1977, and Ali then married Veronica Porché, with whom he had two daughters, Hana and Laila Ali—the latter following in her father’s footsteps to become a boxing champion. Ali’s fourth and final marriage was to Yolanda “Lonnie” Williams in 1986. They had one son, Asaad, and remained together until Ali’s death in 2016.
Ali’s family legacy continues through his children and grandchildren. His grandson, Nico Walsh Ali, is a rising boxer, and his other grandson, Biaggio Ali Walsh, transitioned from football to amateur mixed martial arts.
Parkinson’s Diagnosis and Philanthropy
In 1984, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder. Despite his condition, Ali remained active in public life, raising funds for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center and supporting numerous charities, including the Special Olympics and Make-A-Wish Foundation. He also traveled globally for humanitarian causes, earning the title of United Nations Messenger of Peace in 1998.
Ali received numerous accolades for his charitable work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 and the NAACP President’s Award in 2009.
Muhammad Ali Center and Legacy
Ali’s legacy extends beyond boxing. In 2005, he opened the Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The center serves as both a museum dedicated to his life and a multicultural center promoting peace, social justice, and personal growth.
In his later years, Ali battled spinal stenosis and other health issues before passing away on June 3, 2016, at the age of 74. His carefully planned memorial service included tributes from prominent figures such as Bill Clinton, Billy Crystal, and his widow, Lonnie. Ali is buried in Louisville’s Cave Hill National Cemetery, where his legacy as a champion and humanitarian continues to inspire generations worldwide.
Movies about Muhammad Ali
Several films have been made that highlight the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali, capturing different aspects of his remarkable journey.
In 1977, Ali played himself in The Greatest, a film that covers pivotal moments such as his rise to fame, conversion to Islam, and his principled refusal to serve in the Vietnam War.
The 1996 documentary When We Were Kings, directed by Leon Gast, takes an in-depth look at Ali’s preparation for the legendary 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” fight against George Foreman, while also examining the political climate in Africa during that time. This documentary won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
In 2001, actor Will Smith portrayed Ali in the biographical film Ali, which chronicled key events in the boxing icon’s life. Smith’s portrayal earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Ali’s complex relationship with Malcolm X has also been explored in film. The 2020 fictionalized drama One Night in Miami presents a night where the two, along with other influential figures, discuss race, faith, and their roles in society. Additionally, the 2021 documentary Blood Brothers: Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali delves into the profound but strained friendship between these two cultural giants.