The Greatest: Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali called himself the greatest because he was! He is looked up to as one of the best, if not, the best boxer of all time. He was considered a great sports figure but a controversial one as well due to his race and religion. Even with the odds against him, he still became the greatest.
Ali was born in the segregated town of Louisville, Kentucky. When he was born, he was originally name Cassius Clay Jr. and was Christian. This was later changed though. Clay had another older brother named Rahman Ali, also a pro boxer. (1943-present) His two parents were: Odessa (Grady) Clay and Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr. It all started when he was 12. Clay just got his new bike but got it stolen. He went to the police station. He went up to Officer Joe Martins. Joe said that it would be better if he taught Cassius how to fight, just in-case the thief tried to fight him. Within two years, Clay was Joe's most famous student. When Clay was an amateur, he won 100 bouts with 8 losses and two national Gold Glove titles. He also won 2 Amateur Athletic titles. |
When he was 18, he got to play on the U.S. boxing Olympic team! He got to play in the 1960 Rome Olympics. Ali was playing at lightweight heavyweight boxing at that time. He brought home a gold medal from beating Zbigniew Pietrzykowski from Poland. Even though he got a gold medal, Clay threw it away in a river due to how racist the US was at the time. Ali was ashamed of it.
The same year, Ali won his first pro match in October 29. Ali was recognized for his fighting styles of quick jabs and movement.
Clay's pro career was going amazing, after winning 19 matches he a title shot against champion Sonny Liston (1932-1970) All of the commentators and boxing critics were all criticizing Clay to lose, he was considered the underdog. In everyone's surprise, Ali did beat the champion Sonny. This is where Cassius Clay made the famous quotes, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!"
The same year, Ali won his first pro match in October 29. Ali was recognized for his fighting styles of quick jabs and movement.
Clay's pro career was going amazing, after winning 19 matches he a title shot against champion Sonny Liston (1932-1970) All of the commentators and boxing critics were all criticizing Clay to lose, he was considered the underdog. In everyone's surprise, Ali did beat the champion Sonny. This is where Cassius Clay made the famous quotes, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!"
Cassius Clay joined Nation of Islam in 1965. There were many rumors of the religious switch until member Malcom X confirmed the move. Eljah Muhammad changed Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali.
Ali defended the heavyweight title 8 more times. Ali even had a rematch against Sonny Liston and he won.
In 1967, the U.S. was involved in the war against communist, the Vietnam War. Lot's of men were being drafted for the military. Ali was eventually drafted for combat. Due to Ali's religion of Islam, Ali refused to fight in the war, in his religion it was wrong to fight. Ali was convicted in 1967 for draft evasion, Ali had a 5 year jail sentence, had his boxing licence suspended, had his heavyweight title taken away from him. Ali lost lots of popularity as he was seen as a draft dodger. Later on though, he regained recognition when he had speeches on how the war was wrong, as many people agreed with. Ali never went to jail or fought in 'Nam, his case was overturned in 1971. He got to box 3 years later though in 1970, he had his license back.
When Ali returned to boxing in 1970, he went up against Jerry Quarry. Even though he hadn't boxed in 3 years, Ali beat Jerry Quarry after 3 rounds! Ali had a remarkable game later in 1971, the famous match ¨Fight of the Century.¨ It was Joe Frazier fighting Muhammad Ali. Ali had a title shot but lost. Not from knockout but from a decision by the judges.
Ali defended the heavyweight title 8 more times. Ali even had a rematch against Sonny Liston and he won.
In 1967, the U.S. was involved in the war against communist, the Vietnam War. Lot's of men were being drafted for the military. Ali was eventually drafted for combat. Due to Ali's religion of Islam, Ali refused to fight in the war, in his religion it was wrong to fight. Ali was convicted in 1967 for draft evasion, Ali had a 5 year jail sentence, had his boxing licence suspended, had his heavyweight title taken away from him. Ali lost lots of popularity as he was seen as a draft dodger. Later on though, he regained recognition when he had speeches on how the war was wrong, as many people agreed with. Ali never went to jail or fought in 'Nam, his case was overturned in 1971. He got to box 3 years later though in 1970, he had his license back.
When Ali returned to boxing in 1970, he went up against Jerry Quarry. Even though he hadn't boxed in 3 years, Ali beat Jerry Quarry after 3 rounds! Ali had a remarkable game later in 1971, the famous match ¨Fight of the Century.¨ It was Joe Frazier fighting Muhammad Ali. Ali had a title shot but lost. Not from knockout but from a decision by the judges.
Ali won his next 10 matches until losing again. This was Ali's second defeat. This defeat was in 1973 against Ken Norton. In 1974 though, Ali had a rematch against Joe Frazier, the one who first beat Muhammad Ali. Ali won the match in a decision by the judges.
In 1974 though, Ali played what seemed one of his most famous match. It was the "Rumble in the Jungle" fight. It was George Foreman against Muhammad Ali. The fight was taken place in Kinshasa, Zaire in Africa. The match was won by Muhammad Ali in the 8th round by knockout. Ali had won. Years later, George Foreman became Muhammad Ali's best friend.
In 1975 he had the "Thrilla in Manila" fight. It was held in the Philippines, U.S. It was Ali's final title shot before he retired. It was a rematch to Joe Frazier. The match lasted 14 rounds long. In the end, Muhammad Ali won by knockout. It was one of boxing's most memorable match.
Ali defended the title before being beaten again. He successfully defended the title 10 times. Ali eventually lost to Leon Spinks in 1976. It was a 15 round fight with Spinks winning from judge decision. That was Ali's 3rd loss out of his 5 losses.
Ali announced his retirement in 1979. He tried to make a comeback in 1980 but it went bad, he lost twice. In 1984 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Syndrome. This caused speech problems and muscle tremors. Ali officially retired for good in 1986.
Ali won so many awards though. He won "Sporting Personality of the Century" by BBC, "Sportsman of Century" by Sports Illustrated, "Fighter of the Year" 5 times, and some other awards.
In 1974 though, Ali played what seemed one of his most famous match. It was the "Rumble in the Jungle" fight. It was George Foreman against Muhammad Ali. The fight was taken place in Kinshasa, Zaire in Africa. The match was won by Muhammad Ali in the 8th round by knockout. Ali had won. Years later, George Foreman became Muhammad Ali's best friend.
In 1975 he had the "Thrilla in Manila" fight. It was held in the Philippines, U.S. It was Ali's final title shot before he retired. It was a rematch to Joe Frazier. The match lasted 14 rounds long. In the end, Muhammad Ali won by knockout. It was one of boxing's most memorable match.
Ali defended the title before being beaten again. He successfully defended the title 10 times. Ali eventually lost to Leon Spinks in 1976. It was a 15 round fight with Spinks winning from judge decision. That was Ali's 3rd loss out of his 5 losses.
Ali announced his retirement in 1979. He tried to make a comeback in 1980 but it went bad, he lost twice. In 1984 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Syndrome. This caused speech problems and muscle tremors. Ali officially retired for good in 1986.
Ali won so many awards though. He won "Sporting Personality of the Century" by BBC, "Sportsman of Century" by Sports Illustrated, "Fighter of the Year" 5 times, and some other awards.
In the past, Muhammad Ali had 4 wives. Ali had a divorce with 3 of all 4. Current wife is Yolanda Williams. With all of his wives, he had 7 daughters and 2 sons.
Around a decade, Muhammad Ali was involved with social causes and politics. When Iran held American hostages, he made talks to Iran. He even won the "Presidential Medal of Freedom" in 2005. Ali also made a museum of peace known as the "Muhammad Ali Center."
Nowadays, Muhammad Ali is usually having visits in the hospital. Many things, not only Parkinson's Syndrome, is hurting his health. He shares his thoughts sometimes to via his center or social media.
Muhammad Ali's legacy is still there to this day. He is still considered "The Greatest" after everything. The bravery it took for him we still look back at. He was known for everything inside the ring and outside. Someone did carry his legacy, one of his daughters was a professional boxer. She retired though in 2007 with 24 wins and no losses.
Around a decade, Muhammad Ali was involved with social causes and politics. When Iran held American hostages, he made talks to Iran. He even won the "Presidential Medal of Freedom" in 2005. Ali also made a museum of peace known as the "Muhammad Ali Center."
Nowadays, Muhammad Ali is usually having visits in the hospital. Many things, not only Parkinson's Syndrome, is hurting his health. He shares his thoughts sometimes to via his center or social media.
Muhammad Ali's legacy is still there to this day. He is still considered "The Greatest" after everything. The bravery it took for him we still look back at. He was known for everything inside the ring and outside. Someone did carry his legacy, one of his daughters was a professional boxer. She retired though in 2007 with 24 wins and no losses.
First Jab Tribute
The First Jab tribute is a tribute to the accomplishments of Muhammad Ali. As seen on the right is a model for the tribute. It will contain many relevant symbols to Muhammad Ali's life. Africa for the Rumble in the Jungle, Islam symbol for his conversion, boxing glove because that was his career, peace symbol for his opinions on war, the bicycle that got stolen, an Olympic medal, and a gray Muhammad Ali face in the middle. The reason why was because he was a controversial figure at the time. His religion nor race was accepted. The bottom where it's all gray symbolizes his life now. All dark, many hospital visits, dealing with Parkinson's Syndrome, and the amount of divorces Ali went through. More about the story behind it though, it's located in Miami Beach, Florida. It's located where Ali won his first title against Sonny Liston. The figures are there because on the colored side, that's his prime, those were his fans. In the middle is him knocking out Sonny Liston. On the dark side, the figures are his 3 wives he divorced with. The name "First Jab" is because the first part as this was his first time winning a title, and jab as Ali's playing style consisted of jabs with quick movement. This will resemble Ali as a whole.