Muhammad Ali is rightfully called one of the most famous and Great boxers in the entire professional history of this sport.
Over the course of his entire professional career (21 years), this heavyweight fought 61 fights and won 56 victories, 37 of which by knockout.
Brief biography
Muhammad Ali was given the name at birth Cassius Marcellus Clay, he was born on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA . His father - Cassius Clay Sr., an artist who painted signs and various posters. His mother - Odessa Clay, housewife.
Cassius was the eldest child in the family. After 2 years he had a brother - Rudolf(Rahman Ali).
Social status
The Kley family were considered representatives middle class among the black population of the United States, despite the fact that they lived much poorer than the “white” representatives of the same class.
Cassius did not have to provide for his family, as many of his peers did in school, but he sometimes took part-time jobs (cleaning desks and blackboards at the University of Louisville) to earn pocket money.
First training
At the age of 12, an incident occurred with Cassius Jr., after which he began boxing:
One day his bicycle was stolen. After discovering the loss, he met a policeman, to whom he told that he would beat the thief. To which he replied: “First learn to fight,” and invited the boy to the gym.
This policeman was Joe Martin, who was a trainer for aspiring boxers. His students participated in amateur Golden Glove tournaments, and their fights were shown on television.
2 weeks after the conversation with Joe, Cassius and his brother saw the boxers perform on television, and the next day they came to train at Martin’s gym.
“I will become a world champion, I am the best!”
Immediately the boy began to bully everyone present in the hall, telling them in a raised voice that will become world boxing champion. At that time, virtually no trainer in Martin's gym saw potential in the future Muhammad Ali.
First victory
Already in 1.5 months After the start of training, Clay’s first fight took place with a more experienced and older opponent. Despite this, he managed to win the first victory in his history. The fight was broadcast on TV.
"Golden Glove"
The boy actively began training, switched completely to healthy image life. 2 years after his first training, he won the Golden Glove tournament.
In 1960, he graduated from school with a certificate. The director dragged him on until the last minute. Mostly due to his athletic success.
At that time, his amateur career was in full swing: 100 fights, only 8 defeats. Also at that time, he won a total of 4 tournaments (2 Golden Glove tournaments and 2 Amateur Athletic Union tournaments).
1960 Olympics
After graduating from school, the future Muhammad Ali wanted to go to professional boxing. However, the coach persuaded him to postpone this and take part in the Olympics. summer games 1960.
Qualifying tournament
Cassius accepted this offer. He passed the qualifying tournament in San Francisco. He went through all the fights, except the final one, easily. Final opponent Alan Hudson Almost knocked out Cassius in the first round with a precise blow to the head. But this did not prevent the latter from winning the fight.
Success at the Olympics
Cassius easily defeated his first opponent at the Olympics - a Belgian Ivona Beko, defeating him by technical knockout in the second round.
In the quarterfinals, Clay met with a Soviet boxer Gennady Shatkov. The fight was dictated by Cassius, and the judges unanimously declared him the winner.
At the semi-final stage, Clay faced a familiar opponent - an Australian Tony Madigan(Cassius defeated him in 1959). After the end of the intense fight, Madigan considered himself the winner, but the judges unanimously gave the victory to Clay.
An experienced boxer was waiting for him in the final Zbigniew Pietrzykowski from Poland, he was nine years older than Cassius and had in his track record 230 battles.
Pietrzykowski started the fight in an aggressive manner, trying to end the fight quickly. In the second round, Clay had to abandon his usual “easy” manner and strike several strong blows Pole. He didn't slow down and last round, carrying out a quick series of blows, by the end of the fight Zbigniew was pressed against the ropes and close to an early defeat, but managed to survive until the final bell.
Cassius Clay won by unanimous decision, a few minutes later he was awarded gold medal.
Debut in professional boxing
Clay's first opponent in professional boxing was Tanny Hunsecker. Cassius conscientiously prepared for battle: he ran minimum 2 miles daily, sparred with his younger brother.
Before the fight, in his traditional manner, Clay bullied Hunsecker, calling him a “bum” and promising to make quick work of him in the 6th round. Cassius managed to win, but the promised quick reprisal did not work out. Tunney said after the fight that he was lucky to fight with the future World Champion.
New coach – Angelo Dundee
After the first victory in the professional arena, the question arose of finding a new coach for Clay. The team that sponsored the boxer chose Angelo Dundee.
Dundee immediately understood how to work with the active and sometimes aggressive boxer. He never silenced him, did not control him - he only directed his energy “in the right direction.”
A string of victories
Cassius confidently won the next 4 fights and 1 sparring:
- After a week of training with a new trainer, he defeated Herb Siler in the 4th round by knockout.
- The next victory was over Tony Esperti.
- The next battle seemed the most difficult of all. Mohammed Ali said that he would beat the current world champion, Ingemar Juhanson. And he won’t just beat you, he’ll knock you out. There was no official fight; Juhanson's manager organized a sparring session, which Ali confidently won.
- The fourth official victory was by knockout over Jimmy Robinson.
Further victories brought Clay closer to the Champion title. He defeated famous heavyweights one after another.
World Champion title
On February 25, 1964, a fight took place in which Cassius Clay was a contender for the title of World Heavyweight Champion. His opponent is the current champion, Sonny Liston.
After the fight began, Cassius began circling Liston, evading his powerful attacks and counterattacking. In the third round there was a turning point - Clay began to openly outplay the champion. After one of his successful combinations, Liston's legs began to tangle and he almost fell.
In a completely lost round, Sonny suffered a cut under his left eye and a hematoma under his right. Suddenly, during the fourth round, Clay began to have problems with his vision and began to experience acute pain in his eyes. Cassius saw practically nothing and asked the coach to take off his gloves. At a difficult moment, Angelo Dundee showed composure, releasing his fighter to the next round with the task of moving around the ring, avoiding Liston’s attacks.
Clay managed not to miss a heavy blow from the champion, and in the fifth round his vision was restored. Cassius again dominated the ring, and after many accurate blows to Sonny, between rounds, Liston refused to continue the fight. At 22, Clay became the world heavyweight champion.
Joining the Nation of Islam
In 1964 Cassius Clay joined the Nation of Islam religious society. Leader of this organization Elijah Muhammad later became his spiritual mentor and influenced the boxer’s future life in many ways.
It was Elijah Muhammad who gave the name to the new world champion - Muhammad Ali.
New name
After Cassius joined the Nation of Islam, he introduced himself Muhammad Ali- this was the Muslim name given to him as a member of the community. Society reacted negatively to this fact.
The boxer’s father believed that he had been “indoctrinated” on religious grounds, and said that he himself would continue to bear his name and surname with pride.
Second fight with Liston
May 25, 1965 A rematch took place between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston in the small town of Lewiston. The odds were in favor of the old champion.
Nobody expected what happened in the ring: in the 2nd minute of the first round, Ali knocked Liston out. Even Mohammed himself believed that Sonny was deliberately set up, and said so in the post-match interview.
However, the fight was won and the young champion defended his championship title for the first time. There were no serious rivals among boxers for him at the moment.
Subsequently, until the spring of 1967, Ali 8 times was able to defend the world heavyweight champion title.
Refusal to serve in the army and disqualification
In 1967 Ali for 3 years was forced to retire from professional boxing. This happened because of his refusal to serve in the army. The boxer motivated this by the fact that his religious views did not allow him to participate in hostilities.
However, representatives of the prosecution believed that he could have served outside the hot spots. The champion still refused to serve in the army. At his trial, the jury returned a verdict of “Guilty!”
Athletic commissions stripped the boxer of his license, and he could no longer compete in the professional ring.
Return to big sport took place only in 1970, when the court considered one of the next appeals of lawyer Ali, and made a positive decision in his favor.
End of career
After his return to big boxing, Muhammad Ali had many more great fights. His last fight took place in 1980 V professional sports. He lost by stoppage for the first time to the current young champion Larry Holmes. This happened in the 10th round.
Further fate
After leaving boxing, Muhammad Ali fell ill 4 years later Parkinson's disease. Ali suffered from symptoms of the disease, but his mind remained clear and he decided to devote himself to the service of Islam. Mohammed started helping people, he could make a $100,000 donation with just a few questions, or get out of his car and help an ordinary homeless person.
During the ceremony marking the end of his career, he was presented with a commemorative diamond ring, which Ali gave to the disabled girl that same evening.
Mohammed used his popularity to help those in need, he turned to wealthy people with a request to follow his example, and few refused him.
Death of the Great Boxer
On June 2, 2016, Muhammad Ali was brought to Scottsdale Hospital. He was diagnosed with a problem with his lungs. The next day, June 3, 2016 at the age of 75 Great Mohammed Ali died in hospital from septic shock.
June 10 and 11 in the boxer’s hometown Louisville The funeral took place with flags at half-staff.
Muhammad Ali died in a Phoenix hospital where he spent the last few days.
The athlete, who went down in history forever, struggled with Parkinson's disease for more than 32 years. Lately he had become so weak that he could hardly speak or leave the house.
A memorial service for Ali is planned to be held on his hometown Louisville (Kentucky, USA).
As an athlete, he will be remembered for his classic fights. In particular, for beating the formidable Liston, after which he became champion, "Fight of the Century", "Thriller in Manila" vs. Joe Fraser and "Rumble in the Jungle" in 1974, when, at the age of 32, he beat George Foreman in Kinshasa and regained his title.
“Ali, Frazier and Foreman. We were one. And a part of me has slipped away now,” Foreman tweeted.
Ralph Ali, Frazier & Foreman we were 1 guy. A part of me slipped away, “The greatest piece” https://t.co/xVKOc9qtub
“God has come for his champion. Been great for so long,” writes another former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli #TheGreatest #RIP pic.twitter.com/jhXyqOuabi
Former world champion Oscar De La Hoya also expressed condolences on the death of the legendary boxer. “Rest in peace, Muhammad Ali. A legend who transcended sports. Ali was a true champion for everyone."
RIP @muhammadali, a legend who transcended sport and was a true champion for all. #thegreatest #MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/vjmXlXaHip
“Rest in peace, the greatest of all time in every way,” the WBA, WBO, IBO world heavyweight champion tweeted. Tyson Fury.
Rip the greatest of all times in many different ways. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Ali's influence outside the ring was no less noticeable. First he shocked all of white America by converting to Islam and changing the name Cassius Clay to Cassius X, and later to Muhammad Ali. He later refused military service, saying he had no quarrel with Vietnam.
In 1967, still undefeated and with no worthy opponent in sight, Ali was stripped of his titles. He spent about three and a half years on Broadway. He lost his best years as a fighter, but along with his opposition to the Vietnam War, his popularity only grew. By the mid-1970s, he was the most recognizable sports star on the planet.In his prime, 10 years earlier, he had incredible strength and speed. Watching him was like going to the ballet. At the age of 18, he won Olympic gold in Rome, and four years later, in 1964, he became the world heavyweight champion, leaving Sonny Liston out of business. When Ernie Terrell called him Cassius Clay, he shouted "What's my name?" and continued the beating.
Ali vs Sonny Liston
In 1971, 5 months after his return, Ali secured a fight with Frazier. By that time he was no longer so fleet-footed, elusive and brilliant. The exciting fight ended in Ali's defeat, the first in his career.
Defeat from Ken Norton only confirmed Ali's fall, which ended in 1974 when he knocked out Foreman. When asked if he was planning to retire, Ali replied that he had already done so.
However, he continued to work until the grueling fight with Fraser, which he won when the opposing coach did not let his ward out for the 15th round. After the fight ended, Mohammed fell unconscious in his corner, and later stated that this was the only time he came close to death.
On January 17, 1942, housewife Odessa Clay gave birth to a son in Louisville, Kentucky. The boy was named after his father, an artist by profession, Cassius Jr. However, the world recognizes him under the pseudonym Muhammad Ali. Cassius's brother Rudolf, who appeared to the couple 2 years later, having matured, will also change his real name to Rahman Ali.
Their family never needed introducing middle class, although the living conditions of the white and black populations differed. The father of the family made a living by painting signs, his wife periodically worked part-time by cooking and cleaning in rich houses. The budget was even enough to save money for a cottage in a very good “black” area.
The childhood and youth of the future champion were far from cloudless. In the 1950s, there was a very difficult atmosphere of inequality in America. Even 10-year-old Cassius felt the pressure and fell asleep crying, not understanding why blacks were considered second-class people. The father made his contribution to his sons’ worldview by showing them photographs of Emmett Till, a black teenager brutally murdered by whites, who were later found but not imprisoned. Ironically, Odessa Clay was proud of her white Irish grandfather. And although the images of white “rapist slave owners” will forever settle in the head of Cassius Jr., which he liked to say from the stands, there was nothing to reproach his Irish ancestor for - he entered into a legal marriage with his black lover.
After 12-year-old Clay's favorite bicycle was stolen, he threatened to beat the offenders. A white policeman and part-time boxing coach he met, Joe Martin, reasonably remarked that “before you beat someone, you first need to learn how to do it.” And Cassius began to study, taking his brother along for training.
It was difficult to train Cassius: he bullied others a lot, constantly shouted that he best athlete and future champion. Joe Martin even often kicked him out of the gym, and none of the coaches could see much potential in the guy.
6 weeks after the boy joined the section, the first fight took place. To Cassius's particular delight, the fight was broadcast on television. Despite his lack of experience, the future Muhammad Ali defeats his white opponent, and his joy knows no bounds. He shouts at the camera that he will become a great boxer. From that moment on, the real work on myself began.
Boxing
In 1956, he won the Golden Gloves tournament, which can be considered great start careers. 100 victories in the amateur ring and only 8 defeats by the time he graduated from school. However, the young boxer studied very poorly, and he owed his school education only to the diligence and understanding of the director. It was so bad that Muhammad Ali forever had trouble reading.
In 1960, Cassius, dreaming of a dizzying sports career, received an invitation to participate in Olympic Games. Began to appear corporate identity boxer The innovator seemed to be “dancing” around his opponent on his toes, and his lowered hands provoked a blow, which he always dodged. He was often criticized for both his fighting style and his boastful manner of presenting himself.
Only the fear of flying could stop his pressure. The boxer was so afraid to fly to Rome that he almost abandoned the Olympic Games. Cassius took the plunge by purchasing a parachute. Clay confidently reached the final and in a difficult match defeated the Pole Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, earning a gold medal.
The father was proud of his son and even painted the steps in the color of the US flag. However, nothing has changed in his hometown. And when the champion came with a gold medal to a local cafe that did not serve “colored” people, they still refused to serve him.
Boxer Muhammad Ali hired 11 managers early in his career. He came to professional boxing on October 29, 1960, when he fought with Tanny Hunsecker. Ali prepared diligently for the fight, although he declared that Hunsecker was a slacker and victory would be easy. Victory was truly his. The enemy predicted the world championship for him.
To train with new trainer Angelo Dundee, Clay moves to Miami. There are no authorities for him, but Angelo found an approach. He respected his ward and did not try to control him in everything, but only skillfully directed him.
Clay looked for mentors not only in sports. The beginning of the 60s was the time of his spiritual search. In 1962, he met the leader of the Nation of Islam himself, Muhammad, and became a member of the organization, which greatly influenced his life.
That same year, while continuing to win battle after battle, he voluntarily passed a commission, but never entered the army. Having passed all tests for physical health, he failed an intelligence test by failing to answer the question of how many hours a person works from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., including an hour for lunch. Clay liked to joke:
"I am the greatest, not the smartest!"
In six months in 1962, boxer Muhammad Ali won 5 victories by knockout.
55,000 people came to the stands to watch the fight between Muhammad Ali and Henry Cooper. A few seconds before the end of the fourth round, Cooper sent Ali into a heavy knockdown. And if Ali’s friends had not torn the glove, buying a little time for the champion to rest, it is unknown how the fight would have ended. In the 5th round, Muhammad cut Cooper's eyebrow with a blow, and the fight was stopped.
Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson The match between Ali and Liston was entertaining and difficult. Ali outplayed the current world champion, who had a cut on his eyebrow and a serious hematoma. By the fourth round, Ali could no longer see, but the coach insisted on entering the ring and he was right - his vision returned, and boxer Muhammad Ali became the world heavyweight champion.
In subsequent years, Muhammad Ali became “Boxer of the Year” 5 times and deserved the title of not only “Boxer of the Decade,” but also of the Century. In the early 90s, he entered the International Boxing Hall of Fame to forever remain a legend of the sport.
Parkinson's disease
In 1984, Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He began to hear and speak poorly, and all motor functions failed. Muhammad bravely withstood the main blow in his life - the blow of fate. An incurable illness was a consequence of an occupational sports activities Glue. His body suffered, but his mind remained sharp and his heart was kind, and the athlete devoted himself to helping people. To this day he is involved in charity work.
Personal life
Muhammad Ali was married 4 times. He separated from his first wife in his early youth because of her reluctance to become a Muslim. The second wife Belinda Boyd (after the marriage of Khalil Ali) gave birth to her husband four children. However, Ali was not an exemplary husband, and his infidelities became the reason for the couple’s divorce.
His mistress Veronica Porsche married him, becoming his third wife in 1977. The marriage lasted 9 years. But Muhammad did not remain alone for long, marrying his close friend Iolanthe Williams. They even adopted a child. In addition to his legitimate children, Muhammad has two more illegitimate daughters.
Death
At the end of May 2016, the world boxing legend suffered from breathing problems. He spent several days in one of the hospitals in Phoenix, where Muhammad Ali lived in recent years. But it was not possible to save him.
June 4, 2016. He turned 74 years old. The athlete's main disease was Parkinson's disease.
The legendary boxer Mohammed Ali passed away exactly two years ago. He died on June 3, 2016, after a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease. Read about the main fragments of the biography of the great athlete and person in our material.
How did you spend your early years?
How did you gain worldwide fame?
In the same 1960, the young boxer won the Amateur Athletic Union tournament and received an invitation to take part in qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games. Performance at this competition has become largely a formality. Having received the coveted ticket to the Olympics, Cassius went to Rome and already confidently secured the championship there. Gold medal The Olympic Games became the first serious success in his career.
In 1964, Cassius Clay received his first championship title in a fight with Sonny Liston, defeating him by technical knockout in the seventh round. That same year, Clay converted to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali.
On May 25, 1965, a re-fight took place between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston, in which Ali again won.
In 1966-1967, the boxer defended his title against Brian London, Karl Mildenberger, Cleveland Williams, Ernie Terrell and Zora Folley.
In 1967, during the Vietnam War, Muhammad Ali was drafted into the US Army, but refused to fight in the war. His title was revoked, and the boxer himself was sentenced to five years for evading service. During this time, Ali was prohibited from boxing. In 1970, the US Supreme Court overturned the verdict, and the boxer returned to the ring.
In March 1971, Muhammad Ali entered the ring for the first time against Joe Frazier. This fight was subsequently named "fight of the year" by Ring magazine. In the 15th round, Ali was knocked down, and after the end of the fight the judges came to the conclusion that he lost the fight. This was Ali's first defeat in his career.
End of career
In 1974, the second fight took place between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Ali won this fight, winning on points.
On October 30, 1974, a world title fight took place between George Foreman, the reigning champion, and Muhammad Ali. Experts consider this fight “the greatest and unforgettable.” Ali won it, becoming the champion.
On October 1, 1975, Ali fought another fight, which also remained forever in the history of world boxing. It was a duel in which Muhammad Ali met Joe Frazier for the third time and defeated him again.
In 1978, Muhammad Ali decided to end his boxing career. Was chosen for the final battle Olympic champion 1976 Leon Spinks, to whom Ali lost. The fight received the status of "Fight of the Year" according to Ring magazine.
During his career, Muhammad Ali earned about 50 million dollars, which was simply an exorbitant amount in those days. However, the boxer managed his finances poorly. Due to the ensuing lack of money in 1980, Mohammed was forced to enter the ring again. That time his opponent was the current champion Larry Holmes, who confidently defeated the veteran. From that moment on, Mohammed never entered the ring again.
Personal life and the fight against illness
Mohammed had four wives in his life. The boxer met the first of them in his youth, but soon broke up due to her reluctance to convert to Islam. The marriage to his second wife Belinda Boyd (later Khalilah Ali) lasted longer and resulted in the birth of four children. Despite this, while married, Cassius Clay began to have an affair with model Veronica Porsche, who, as noted in many sources, was not his only mistress. One way or another, it was Veronica who became the reason for Mohammed’s separation from ex-wife. They got married in 1977. Soon they had two children.
This union lasted for nine years. After his divorce from Veronica Porsche, the legendary boxer married longtime girlfriend Iolanthe Williams. Soon they adopted a five-year-old boy together. In addition, Mohammed has two more illegitimate children from previous unions.
In 1990, Ali was elected to the National Boxing Hall of Fame. In 1996, he carried the torch at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. For the last 32 years, he has been fighting not in the ring, but in life with Parkinson’s disease. Muhammad Ali passed away on June 3, 2016.
On June 3, at the age of 74, legendary boxer Muhammad Ali passed away due to lung problems. Muhammad Ali's cause of death was septic shock due to "undetermined natural causes." This is an irreparable loss for the whole world; a true legend has left us, whose name will forever remain in the history of world sports.
Not everyone knows that for three decades, Muhammad Ali fought Parkinson's disease. In March 2016, a British photographer named Zenon Texeira was invited by Muhammad Ali's family to his home in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, to conduct one last lifetime photo shoot. former champion peace. Also recently, the last lifetime photographs of the boxer, published by his daughter named Nana Ali, appeared online. We invite you to look at those and other photographs, saturated with pain and revelation.
Raised my fists for the last time...
Muhammad Ali's last photo shoot was done at the end of March at the boxer's home with the permission of his family.
As always stern and serious
Mesmerizing photos of Muhammad Ali after 32 years of unequal battle with neurodegenerative disease
The last photographs of Muhammad Ali during his lifetime, taken by his daughter Hana Ali on May 22 during a conversation via the Facetime application and published by her on her page in Twitter
"Last photo of my wonderful father... I told him I loved him on May 22, 2016," she captioned this photo Hana
Blowing a kiss with your daughter
"Blowing a kiss to her dad on March 15th while she watches westerns and waits for Lonnie to bring him a piece of pie," photo caption
A message from the entire Muhammad Ali family, also posted on Hana's page
"Our hearts are literally breaking. But we are happy that our dad is finally free. We tried to stay strong and whispered to him: 'Now you can leave.' Everything will be fine with us. We love you. Thank you. Now we can go back to God." We were all next to him, hugging him, kissing him, holding his hands, repeating Islamic prayers. All his organs failed, but his heart did not stop beating. 30 minutes.. his heart continued beating. No one has ever seen anything like this. A true testament to his strength of spirit and will! Thank you all for your love and support."
Rest in peace, champion, your name will remain for centuries!
