"The Greatest” Muhammad Ali 1942 through 2016

Young Ali

On January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky “The Greatest of All Time” Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. was born. At the early stage of His life, He experienced racial unfairness firsthand. But He’s a tough kid.  He showed no fear to anybody.

When He was 12, His bike was stolen and reported it to a police officer (Joe Martin). He told Joe that He wanted to beat up the thief. Joe replied “Well, you better learn how to fight before you start challenging people”. Aside from being a police officer, Joe also trained young boxers at a local gym.

Ali then started working with Joe to learn how to box and began His career in boxing.  It was in 1954 when Ali won His first amateur bout with a split decision.  In 1956, He won the “Golden Gloves Tournament” for novices in light heavyweight class.  And three years soon He won the “National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions” and “Amateur Athletic Union’s National” title for the light heavyweight class.

Olympic Run

Ali became part of U.S. Olympic boxing team in 1960. He traveled to Rome, Italy to contend. Standing at 6’3, Ali became famous for His speed and fancy footwork. He won the gold medal after defeating Zbigniew Pietrzkowski from Poland in light heavyweight class.

He soon became a hero and continued overpowering all His opponents in the ring.  After His Olympic run, in 1964 He turned pro and beat Sony Liston to become “The Heavyweight Champion of The World”.

Suspension and Converting to Islam

It was in 1964 also when He decided to join “Black Nation Group Nation of Islam”. Before settling with name “Muhammad Ali”, He called himself first “Cassius X”. He eventually converted to Islam during 1970s.

Ali also had a fight outside the ring, against Vietnam War. He was drafted in April 1967 but refused to participate in any military activity. He was arrested almost immediately and got stripped of His world title and boxing license.  He was sentenced to five years but was remained free while appealing his conviction. Muhammad Ali missed more than three years of His prime career. But in June 1971, the U.S. supreme court overturned the conviction and gave Ali a freedom to fight again.

Boxing Comeback

In 1971, He took on Frazier in what has been called the “Fight of the century”.  Both men went toe-to-toe. Ali and Frazier blew hard shots. Until round 15^th came, Frazier caught Ali with a vicious left hook that shook Ali and went down for the first time on His career. Ali lost to Frazier after 31 professional wins. But 1974 came and Ali won a rematch against smoking Frazier.

The Rumble in the Jungle

Also, happened in 1974, one of Ali’s legendary fight “Rumble in the Jungle” vs Foreman. Organized by Don King and was held in Kinshasa, Zaire. Congo. Ali was the underdog in this bout. Foreman is fearless and massive. But Ali showcased His masterpiece. He stunned Foreman in 8^th round by winning a knockout to salvage the heavyweight title.

Thrilla in Manila

Dubbed as the “Thrilla in Manila” Ali and Frazier locked a trilogy in 1975 in The Philippines. The war went on distance. Both men delivered incredible performance. Ali was dead tried and Frazier can’t see. And when before the bell rings to mark the start of 15^th, Frazier’s trainer threw in the towel giving Ali winning the battle 2-1.

Ali’s last dance in a boxing ring

Ali became three-time world heavyweight champion of the word after defeating Leon Spinks in a 1978 September rematch (He lost on first meeting on February 1978). He hanged His gloves for two years and returned in the ring in 1980 to face a much younger Larry Homes. He got destroyed and was over-matched. And in 1981, His final loss to Trevor Berbick, “The Greatest” finally decided to retire from the sport.

Diagnosed with a disease

In 1984 Ali announced that He had a Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative neurological condition. That was the hardest fight he had. He fought it for more than 30 years.

Ali’s death and legacy

Ali was hospitalized due to a sever urinary tract infection in 2015 (after having pneumonia).  He was hospitalized again in early of June 2016 for a respiratory issue. The news spread worldwide. Ali’s family representative gave a statement stating that “The Greatest” was in fair condition. But Ali’s life ended on the evening of June 3^rd, 2016. He passed away at a Phoenix, Arizona facility.

With a professional record of 56 wins and 5 loses. Known for punishing His opponents with His poetic jabs, undoubtedly “The Greatest” of all time. Ali's legacy will continue to live on.