Muhammad Ali Biography
Loved by most and hated by many for his unrivalled reign over the boxing ring for a thirty year career that spanned from 1960 to 1990, Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. alias Muhammad Ali went into sports history book as a strong contender who would use anything from intimidating opponents on media interviews and fighting ruthlessly in the ring. The boxing guru was born on January 17 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA to Cassius Marcellus Clay, Sr. and Odessa Grady Clay, he converted to Islam which prompted a name change which was Muhammad Ali although growing up his parents had raised him as a staunch Baptist.
Ali’s love for boxing became evident from a tender age and this was spurred on by a need to acquire self-defence skills in a predominantly Black neighbourhood that was just as violent as it was unsafe, as a child then Ali’s priority when venturing into the game was to learn from already established names in the sport some of which happened to be his neighbours. His coaches spotted the quick wit and strength in him and soon enough Ali was one of the top trainees at his boxing academy, on the side he begun to train other students while making a buck from as early as twelve years old.
Free from the neighbourhood gangs and making a living for himself and his poor family Ali had all the time to concentrate on local matches where he remained an unrivalled opponent for years, with several titles to his name he however remained unknown since the harsh conditions of poverty would not allow him to advance to better competitions. Besides this at the time the US was under the restrictions of racism making advancement for the coloured star difficult.
Fortunes would however change for him in 1960 when an entry into the Olympic Tournament would lead to his first professional game and his claim to fame. This was followed by a string of matches that mostly ended with knock outs, a large following of fans grouped and kept up with Ali’s matches and press conferences. In the 60’s decade Ali overthrew all the reigning champions and established himself as the top gun in the now famous sport, his opponents barely survived the matches and many of the had to leave the ring straight for the hospital after Ali had tortured and badly wounded them.
At his early twenties Ali fought and won many battles against older sportsmen and his list of prestigious titles grew on, in the 70’s his consecutive wins were boosted further when a long awaited ring confrontation with another top boxer named George Foreman was scheduled for late 1973. This was a highly anticipated event that was broadcast all around the world with many saying that the fall of the great Ali had come, much to everyone’s surprise this was not to be as the younger boxer won the title after seven rounds. This ‘Fight of the Year’ as published by tabloids was the key to the honouring of Ali’s works with an induction in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Fighting into the 80’s, Ali had faced a thirty year boxing period that was characterised with injury after injury with some being fatal, this translated to Parkinson's disease, an ailment that would see the boxer’s career end in 1990.
Still in retirement Ali continues to receive accolades like a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and films as well as foundations have been dedicated to him.
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