Muhammad Ali Clay – The Greatest Boxer

Muhammad Ali is considered one of the renowned boxers of all time. He was born as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., which he changed after embracing the Islam in 1964.

Even in his early training, Muhammad Ali boxed like no one else. He was an incredible boxer. When he was 18 years old, he won national tournaments such as the Golden Gloves. He felt competent enough to join the Olympic Games by that time. He fought against Pietrzyzkowski from Poland in the light-heavyweight championship and won in a unanimous decision. He won the Olympic gold medal. Ali had become one of the most popular athletes in 1960’s.

He was banned from boxing for three and a half years because he refused to participate and fight in Vietnam war. By 1970, there was a change in public opinion that meant Ali was allowed to rejoin boxing. On October 1970, he fought his first real comeback bout. On March 8, 1971, Ali got the chance to win back the heavyweight title. On October 30, 1974, he had another chance at the championship title. He had a rematch with Foreman and he knocked him out. For the second time, he became the heavyweight champion of the world. On October 1, 1975, their third match against each other was called “Thrilla in Manila” because it was held in Manila, Philippines. Ali won in their rematch but he himself was badly hurt.

In 1975, Muhammad Ali announced his retirement. However, he had another fight with Leon Spinks. The bout had gone all 15 rounds. The championship title was awarded to Spinks. After the fight, he retires on June 1979. He fought Larry Holmes in 1980 and Trevor Berbick in 1981. He lost both fights. In September 1984 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome. Muhammad Ali was asked to light the Olympic flame during 1996 Olympics. Although he moved slowly and his hands shook, his performance brought tears to many. Since then, he worked tirelessly to help charities around the world.