MUHAMMAD ALI BOXING & BEYOND

Early Boxing Career

On the 29th of October 1960, Clay won his first professional title, embarking on a boxing career that would rock the sports world. Clay’s unorthodox style relied on deft footwork. He had such confidence in his speed and agility that he would often leave his guard down and taunt oppo- nents to hit him. He also began to predict in which round his fights would end. Winning the World Title In February 1964, Clay took on Sony Liston, the (WBC) World Heavyweight Champion. The Muhammad Ali was the first man to win the Undisputed World Heavy- boxing press did not rate Clay’s chances against Liston. In the match, Clay used his speed and weight Boxing title three times. Clay was considered a sporting legend and footwork to outpace the slower Liston and inflict cuts and bruises under his eyes. After the a cultural icon that is well known for his beliefs and his boxing. sixth round, Liston retired from the match citing an injured shoulder. Clay won the fight to win the world title. “I am the greatest!” he proclaimed. The same year, Clay publicly declared that he was a member of the Nation of Islam and that he was to be known as Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ali Cassius Marcellus Clay was born on 17th of Janu- a name given to him be his spiritual leader. His conversion was received with mixed reactions ary 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. Clay was introduced to boxing at the from the public. Once again, Ali was surrounded with controversy. age of 12. Before turning professional, Clay won numerous titles and achieved an outstanding record of 100 wins to 5 losses. On September 5th, Vietnam War 1960, Clay stepped into the Olympic Ring and beat polish boxer Zbig- As was unfolded in Vietnam, Ali received his draft notice to the US Army. Rather than appeal niew Pitrzykowski, (5-0) to take the Light Heavyweight Gold Medal. for exclusion on the grounds of his sporting success, Ali chose to object on the grounds of his religious beliefs that forbid killing in all forms. Ali was arrested and subsequently fined with $10,000 for draft evasion. He was sentenced to five years in jail, later quashed on appeal. He was stripped of his Heavyweight Boxing title and license to fight.

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In October, 1970, Ali stepped into the ring for his first bout after three-and-a-half-years in exile. He On October first 1975, Ali fought for the third time in the greatly anticipated “Thrilla in Manila”. defeated Jerry Quarry in the third round. Ali signed up to fight the undefeated heavyweight champion, The match lasted a punishing 14 rounds in tropical heat. Ali finally won through when Fazier’s Joe Frazier, at Madison Square Gardens on March 8th, 1971, billed as “The Fight of the Century”. At corner halted the fight. Ali later described the fight as “the closest thing to death that he’d ever the end of 15th round, with both fighters still standing, the title was awarded to Fazier by unanimous experience”. Back in 1978, Ali lost his title to junior fighter, Leon Spinks. In a rematch, in the decision. This was Ali’s first professional loss even though he later went to defeat Fazier in January 1974. same year, Ali managed to win back the Heavyweight Championship for the third time. Ali continued to fight even though he was losing. His bid for the fourth Heavyweight title, against former sparring partner, Larry Holmes back in 1980, was stopped. Ali’s only defeat by nothing other than a decision. In December 1981, Ali lost the final fight of his career to Canadian Trevor Berbick on points. At the age of 40, Ali retired from boxing.

Parkinson’s Disease

In 1984, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a condition which has been linked to trauma injuries to the head. Ali was presented with a replica of his lost 1960 Olympic Gold medal when he lit the Olympic torch at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. In 2005, Ali was “Rumble in the Jungle” awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S civilian honor. During the same year, non-profit Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky opened. At the 2012 Olympic Games Widely publicized by boxing promoter, Don King, Ali met George Forman in Octo- in London, Ali was a named flag bearer. He was too ill to carry the flag, so he stood in front of it. ber 1974 for the “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire in an attempt to win back his World Heavyweight title. This was the first time that Ali revealed his “rope-a-dope” tech- nique. Ali leaned back on the ropes absorbing the body blows until his younger opponent dished out. Counterattacking with jabs to Foreman’s face and taunting his to dish out more punches. Foreman began to look tired and weary. At the end of the eighth round, Ali launched a powerful combination that knocked Foreman to the canvas. Ali had defied the odds to regain the world title.

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