The Life and Times of Muhammad Ali

Boxing fans should probably thank Joe Martin a Louisville policeman for tutoring Muhammad Ali at 12 years. Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., though his 3 heavyweight boxing championships and 19 title defences correctly referred to himself as “The Greatest”.

The 1960 Rome Olympic Games was the first time the world came to see the man who coined phrases like “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”. Overtime his sweet poetry was as well known, loved and hated as his boxing career. Never a man to shy away from praising himself, some wonder if it was his boxing prowess or his predictions on when his matches would end that made him more famous.

After he got his gold medal in the 175 pound division in the 1960 Olympics, Cassius Clay joined the professional ranks and earned a right to fight probably the most intimidating and powerful fighter of his era, Sonny Liston. On February 25, 1964, Cassius Clay shocked the world knocking out Sonny Liston to become the world heavyweight boxing champion.

Two days later, Cassius Clay shocked the world again when he converted to Islam and became Muhammad Ali on March 6, 1964. A name given to him by the nation of Islam leader, Elijah Muhammad.

For three years, Ali was regarded as one of the best boxers ever with impressive wins including a first round knockout win over Sonny Liston in a rematch. On April 28, 1967, Ali saying “I ain’t got no quarrels with them Vietcong” refused induction into the U.S. Army citing his religious beliefs.

Muhammad Ali was stripped of his heavyweight championship and banned from boxing for three and a half years. On June 20th, 1967, Ali was convicted of refusing induction to the Armed forces and sentenced to 5 years in prison. For four years he appealed his conviction while free on bail. The Supreme Court overturned his conviction and Ali was free to torment his opponents with punches and his words again.

On October 30 1970, Ali returned to boxing winning his fights until he met Joe Frazier on March 8 1971 in the heavyweight championship. Joe Frazier beat Ali in a unanimous 15 round decision in a fight that became known as “the Fight of the Century”. Ali won a rematch with Frazier a few years later in probably his best fight since his exile from boxing.

George Foreman, who had defeated Joe Frazier to become heavyweight champion, was his next target. Urged on by the people of Zaire and in probably the biggest shock in boxing history, Ali knocked out the previously invincible Foreman in the 8th round. The bout which Ali referred to as the Rumble in the Jungle became legend and has been made into movies and documentaries.

For 30 months, Ali continued to win though he was losing his touch. On October 1975, Ali and Joe Frazier met for what is considered the greatest prize fight of all time, the “Thriller in Manila”. Ali won after the match was stopped on the 14th round in one of the toughest boxing matches ever witnessed.

The “Thriller in Manila” took a lot from Ali and his consequent fights were lacklustre. He lost his title to Leon Spinks in 1978 only to reclaim it later. He retired but made a mistake to comeback to fight against Larry Holmes who overpowered him.

Muhammad Ali’s last fight was against Trevor Berbick in 1981 which he sadly lost.

Ali’s life after boxing has been marked by physical decline suffering from symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. He has also spoken against the Islamic doctrine taught in the Nation of Islam and has embraced orthodox Islam which embraces all people. He lives with his fourth wife and his nine children have all avoided the limelight except Laila Ali who continued to have a great boxing career.

Whether Muhammad Ali was the best boxer of all time or not, he has given boxing fans from around the world some of the best boxing memories. And for that he deserves the title of the greatest.

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