Life and Legacy of Muhammad Ali

Early Life and Beginnings

• Born: 1942, Kentucky
• Original Name: Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.
• Background: Grew up in racially segregated South; father was a billboard painter, mother a domestic worker
• Bike Stolen (Age 12): Reported to officer Joe Martin, got introduced to boxing
• First Amateur Fight: Won at age 14
• Golden Gloves Winner: National title at 19
• Olympics: Won gold at 1960 Rome Olympics as a light heavyweight

Professional Boxing Career

• Turned Pro: After 105 amateur fights; first contract paid $400/month + 50% of the gate
• Training: Moved to Florida, trained with Angelo Dundee
• Style: Fast, agile, known for trash talking (inspired by Gorgeous George Wagner)
• First Major Target: European heavyweight champion Henry Cooper

Becoming the Champ

• Sunny Liston Fight (Underdog with 8-1 odds)
• Key Strategy: Trash talk, speed, and agility
• Fight Outcome: Clay (Ali) dominated; Liston retired after 6th round

Name Change and Activism

• Nation of Islam: Joined and changed name to Muhammad Ali
• Domination: Remained unbeaten, defended title 8 times
• Vietnam War: Refused induction into U.S. Army based on religious beliefs
• Consequences: Stripped of title, banned from boxing for 3.5 years

Return to Boxing

• Legal Victory: Case won in Supreme Court
• Comeback Fights: Victories over Jerry Quarry and Oscar Bonavena
• Fight of the Century: Lost to Joe Frazier in 1971 in a match dubbed “Fight of the Century”
• Second Loss: To Ken Norton in 1973, later avenged

Iconic Fights

• Rumble in the Jungle: Ali vs. George Foreman; Ali won using “rope-a-dope” strategy
• Thrilla in Manila: Final grueling fight with Joe Frazier; Ali won after Frazier’s coach stopped the fight

Decline and Retirement

• Third Title Loss: To Leon Spinks, later regained it
• Final Fights: Lost to Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick
• Health Decline: Signs of Parkinson’s appeared post-retirement

Legacy

• Activism: Advocate for peace, racial equality, and human rights
• Charity: Donated a significant portion of earnings
• Cultural Impact: Known for charisma, public speaking, and community involvement
• Status: Regarded as the greatest athlete of all time due to both boxing and social impact