Muhammad Ali

NAME: Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Muhammad Ali is famous for being one of the greatest professional boxers in history. He is known not only for his exceptional boxing skills but also for his charismatic personality, outspoken views, and activism outside the ring.

BIRTH: Muhammad Ali was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Ali was born into a working-class African American family. His father, Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr., was a painter and sign maker, while his mother, Odessa O'Grady Clay, worked as a domestic helper. Ali had a younger brother named Rudy.

CHILDHOOD: Growing up in the racially segregated South, Ali experienced discrimination and racial injustice from a young age. 

At the age of 12, Ali developed a passion for boxing after local troublemakers stole his $60 red Schwinn bike. Fuming over the theft, he encountered police officer and boxing coach Joe E. Martin. Expressing his determination to "whup" the thief, Ali was advised by Martin to first acquire boxing skills.

EDUCATION: Ali attended Central High School in Louisville, where he discovered his talent for boxing. His focus on boxing led him to a successful amateur career.

Later, he received honorary doctorates from several universities.

CAREER RECORD: Muhammad Ali had a remarkable boxing career, with numerous achievements, including winning the Olympic gold medal in 1960. He turned professional shortly after and became a three-time world heavyweight champion. His notable fights include the "Fight of the Century" against Joe Frazier and the "Rumble in the Jungle" against George Foreman.

APPEARANCE: Ali was known for his tall and athletic physique, standing at an imposing 6 feet 3 inches, he had a commanding presence.

Bust photographic portrait of Muhammad Ali in 1967

FASHION: Outside the ring, Ali was known for his unique sense of style. He embraced bold and flamboyant fashion, often wearing colorful and extravagant outfits that reflected his confident personality.

CHARACTER: Ali was characterized by his confidence, charisma, and resilience. He famously proclaimed, "I am the greatest," and backed it up with his impressive performances in the ring.

SPEAKING VOICE Ali was renowned for his sharp tongue and quick wit. He had a remarkable ability to craft memorable phrases and rhymes on the spot, often using humor to disarm his opponents and captivate audiences. Muhammad Ali's voice was more than just a tool for communication; it was an integral part of his identity.

Tragically, Ali's voice began to change as he aged, particularly after his diagnosis with Parkinson's syndrome. A study showed that his rate of speech dropped by 26% over 13 years, starting even before his official diagnosis16. Despite this, Ali maintained his ability to captivate audiences with his presence, even when his speech became more limited. 

SENSE OF HUMOUR: His playful banter and entertaining interviews showcased his charismatic sense of humor. Here are a a few examples:

1. Ali was famous for predicting the round in which he would defeat his opponents, often in a poetic and humorous way. For example, before his fight against Sonny Liston in 1964, he said, 

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can't hit what the eyes can't see. Now you see me, now you don't. George thinks he will, but I know he won't!"

2. Ali would often boast about his boxing prowess in a humorous way. The phrase below, uttered before his fight with George Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle" in 1974, reflects his ability to entertain and taunt with a touch of humor.

"I'm so mean, I make medicine sick":

3. Before his 1975 fight with Chuck Wepner:

Ali: "Wepner, you're the ugliest man I ever seen. You look like you been in a fight with a bear and the bear won."

Wepner: "The only thing ugly is your ego, Ali."

4. Before his 1971 "Fight of the Century" with Joe Frazier:

Ali: "It's gonna be a whole lotta shufflin', a whole lotta movin', and guess what? The world gonna see Frazier losin'."

Frazier: "He talks a good fight, but I'm gonna put his lights out."

RELATIONSHIPS: Ali was married four times and had nine children. His relationships were sometimes tumultuous, reflecting the complexities of his personal life. His final and enduring marriage was to Yolanda “Lonnie” Williams.

The wedding of Muhammad Ali and Yolanda "Lonnie" Williams took place November 19, 1986 in Louisville, Kentucky, in the private home of a former mayor.  Ali and Lonnie had known each other since 1963 when Lonnie was 6 years old and Ali was 21. Their families lived on the same street in Louisville. Lonnie was 29 years old and Ali was 44 at the time of their marriage. 

He cultivated strong bonds with fellow activists and supporters throughout his life.

MONEY AND FAME: Ali achieved significant wealth and fame during his boxing career. However, his outspoken views on civil rights and opposition to the Vietnam War led to controversies and legal battles, impacting his financial standing.

FOOD AND DRINK: Ali was known for his disciplined approach to diet and nutrition, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peak physical condition. He avoided certain foods and adhered to a strict training regimen.

He was particularly fond of steak and orange juice.

MUSIC AND ARTS: Ali appreciated music and arts, and his cultural impact extended beyond sports. He was associated with influential figures in the entertainment industry and collaborated with artists across various mediums.

LITERATURE: Ali was well-read and appreciated literature that explored human rights and social justice.

Ali authored an autobiography, The Greatest: My Own Story, providing insights into his life, career, and beliefs. The book became a bestseller and added to his legacy outside the boxing ring.

NATURE: Ali had a connection with nature, often expressing his appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. This aspect of his personality contrasted with his fierce competitiveness in the boxing ring.

BOXING CAREER: Muhammad Ali moved like a man who had discovered that gravity was merely a suggestion. His boxing style was a kind of poetry in motion—graceful, nimble, and punctuated by jabs so quick they seemed to arrive before they were thrown.

Just seven and a half weeks after securing Olympic gold in the light heavyweight division, young Cassius Clay (as he was still known) made his professional debut on October 29, 1960. His opponent was Tunney Hunsaker, a police chief from West Virginia who, one assumes, had a rather unpleasant shift the next day. The fight took place in Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, and ended as expected—with a unanimous decision victory for the young upstart.

Ali’s amateur career was dazzling: 100 wins, just five losses. As a professional, he racked up 56 victories (37 by knockout) against only five defeats and one draw. But numbers hardly do justice to the myth.

Ali became the first man to win the heavyweight title three times, an achievement so improbable that it should have required a congressional hearing. The first time was on February 25, 1964, when he stunned the world by defeating the fearsome Sonny Liston. At 22, he was the youngest boxer ever to take the title from a reigning champion, and he made sure everyone knew it.

A decade later, on October 30, 1974, Ali pulled off one of the great upsets in sports history by toppling George Foreman in the famed “Rumble in the Jungle.” Employing his legendary “rope-a-dope” strategy, he let Foreman punch himself into exhaustion before knocking him out with an efficiency that suggested he'd planned it all over breakfast.

And finally, on September 15, 1978, Ali completed the hat trick, reclaiming his title from Leon Spinks in a rematch that left no doubt about who was in charge. At that point, he could have just started collecting championship belts like souvenir mugs.

Of course, Ali was never just about the fights. He was a showman, a poet, a provocateur, and a force of nature. The only predictable thing about him was that he would always be unpredictable. And, more often than not, victorious.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Ali was interested in various sports, including basketball and pool, listening to music, playing chess and spending time with family and friends.. He also enjoyed magic tricks and was known to engage in playful activities during his leisure time.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: While Ali did not have a formal education in science and mathematics, his strategic approach to boxing demonstrated a keen understanding of tactics and analytical thinking.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Cassius Clay began exploring Islam in the early 1960s, attending his first Nation of Islam meeting in 1961. However, his public conversion occurred after his victory against Sonny Liston on February 25, 1964, when he formally joined the Nation of Islam. On March 6, 1964, Elijah Muhammad announced that Clay would adopt the name Muhammad Ali, marking his official religious transformation and rejection of his birth name, which he referred to as a "slave name".

Ali's conversion to Islam and his association with the Nation of Islam (often called the Black Muslims at the time) significantly influenced his philosophical and theological perspectives. He was known for his strong convictions and activism, promoting justice and equality.

SCANDAL: The "What's My Name?" fight between Muhammad Ali and Ernie Terrell took place on February 6, 1967, at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas. The fight was highly anticipated as it pitted two of the best heavyweights in the world against each other. Ali was the reigning WBA and WBC heavyweight champion, while Terrell held the WBA title.

 In a dominant display Muhammad Ali thoroughly defeated Ernie Terrell.  During the eighth round, Ali began punctuating his punches with the pointed question, "What's my name?" This was in response to Terrell's repeated use of Ali's birth name, Cassius Clay, in the lead-up to the fight, instead of the name he adopted upon joining the Nation of Islam. Ali was criticized by some for his behavior in the fight. They felt that he had been unnecessarily cruel to Terrell. However, others defended Ali, arguing that Terrell had brought it on himself by refusing to acknowledge his chosen name. 

Again in 1967, Muhammad Ali's boxing career faced a major hurdle. Drafted into the military after losing his student deferment, Ali applied for conscientious objector status due to his beliefs as a member of the Nation of Islam. When he refused induction on April 28, 1967 in Houston, Texas, the consequences were swift. The World Boxing Association revoked his Heavyweight Champion titles and license. Within two months, a court in Texas found him guilty of draft evasion, sentencing him to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Although ultimately freed on appeal, this period significantly disrupted his prime boxing years.

MILITARY RECORD: Ali refused to serve in the military due to his conscientious objection to the Vietnam War. Initially classified as unfit for service (1-Y), he was later reclassified eligible (1-A). Ali, a member of the Nation of Islam (formerly Black Muslims), applied for conscientious objector status.  On April 28, 1967, in Houston, he refused induction.

This act of defiance came at a steep cost. Ali lost his World Heavyweight Champion titles and boxing licenses. A Texas court convicted him of draft evasion, sentencing him to prison and a fine. Released on appeal, Ali needed income to cover legal fees while barred from boxing. He took to the college lecture circuit and even appeared in a Broadway musical.

Finally, on June 28, 1971, the Supreme Court overturned his conviction. This paved the way for Ali's boxing return.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Throughout his life, Ali maintained a focus on physical fitness. However, in his later years, he faced health challenges, including Parkinson's disease, attributed to his boxing career.

HOMES: Ali lived in various places throughout his life, including his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, and later in other locations as his fame and career expanded.

TRAVEL: As a world-renowned boxer, Ali traveled extensively for his fights, engaging with diverse cultures and communities around the globe.

In 1960 Cassius Clay at the time, had a problem. A big problem. Despite being one of the most confident and dynamic young athletes on the planet, he was utterly, profoundly terrified of flying. So, just a few weeks before the 1960 Olympics, he tried to pull out of the U.S. team entirely. No way was he getting on that plane to Rome. But eventually, after a good deal of persuading (and probably a fair bit of pleading), he reluctantly agreed to go—on one very specific condition.

On the flight over, the future heavyweight champion of the world sat there, resolute and visibly uncomfortable, with a parachute strapped to his back the entire time. It looked more than a little odd, but in Ali's defense, the plane made it to Rome, and he made it to the Games. And there, on September 5, 1960, Clay won the gold medal in the light heavyweight boxing category, an achievement that seemed worth all the anxiety.

And, in a final flourish of audacity, he sent the medal to his high school teacher who once sneered, "You ain't never gonna be nuthin'." Turns out, he was something after all.

DEATH: Ali was hospitalized in Scottsdale, Arizona on June 2, 2016 with a respiratory condition. His condition worsened, and he was placed on life support. Late on June 3, 2016 it was announced that Ali had died at the age of 74. His death marked the end of an era in boxing and left a lasting legacy.

The day Muhammad Ali's body was returned to his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, bees swarmed at a mural featuring his famous phrase "Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee." This event was widely reported and noted for its symbolic and poetic resonance, given Ali's well-known moniker and his association with both butterflies and bees. The incident was seen by many as a fitting tribute to the legendary boxer and his legacy.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Ali's life has been extensively portrayed in documentaries, films, and books. Notable works include the film Ali where he was played by Will Smith and the documentary When We Were Kings, which focuses on the "Rumble in the Jungle."

ACHIEVEMENTS: Muhammad Ali's achievements include winning the Olympic gold medal, becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion, and leaving an indelible mark on the sport of boxing. Beyond the ring, he advocated for racial justice and religious freedom, inspiring generations. Muhammad Ali established himself as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.