Muhammad Ali was born as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. He is not only remembered for being a three-time world heavyweight champion but is also honored as a very powerful voice for justice, an incredibly talented poet, and a great humanitarian worldwide. He was an icon beyond boxing. Here are 10 less known but wonderful things to get every fan buzzing about The Greatest.
1. His Birth Name Paid Tribute to an Abolitionist
Before becoming Muhammad Ali, he was Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., named after a 19th-century Kentucky abolitionist who freed the slaves received by him. That historical link was similar to Ali’s own later fight for racial equality and justice in America.
2. Boxing Started After His Bicycle Was Stolen
At 12 years of age, Ali was ignited with passion by the stealing of his bike. Angry and determined, he reported it to a local police officer who also trained young boxers. The officer told him that he ought to learn how to fight. Just weeks later, he entered the ring and never looked back.
3. Won Olympic Gold and Faced Racists at Home
In the 1960 Rome Olympics, Ali (then still Cassius Clay) successfully snatched the light heavyweight gold medal for Team USA. But after returning to the segregated Kentucky, he got refused being served at a whites-only diner, even in his medal. He later said he threw away the medal into the Ohio River, though some disbelieved that.
4. He Refused the Vietnam War Draft on Moral Grounds
In a bold and brash action that just shocked America, Ali denied the U.S. military conscription in 1967, stating that all to him was about Islamic beliefs and resistance to wars. The move cost Ali the boxing license, his title, and almost five years during his peak. Although convicted of draft evasion, the conviction was later reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1971.
5. He Was a Rhyming Genius in and out of the Ring
Ali fought, but he talked that fight in a perfect rhyme. For his cleverly and poetically trash talk, he declared the hype fights and dissed his opponents through iambic pentameter. The 1963 offering I Am the Greatest has fused bravado in boxing with spoken word artistry, which is how he got his nickname, The Louisville Lip.
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6. An Impressive Career: 56 Wins, 37 Knockouts
The boxing card of Ali is staggering: 61 pro fights and 56 wins, including 37 knockouts. Not only did Ali defeat former champions such as George Foreman, Sonny Liston, and Joe Frazier, but he also presented most of those superb performances with incredible strategic brilliance. The greatest heavyweight boxer is Ali’s legacy, and it is unrivaled by anyone.
7. His First Pro Defeat Came in the ‘Fight of the Century’
Post suspension, Ali made a comeback only to find that the title bout for the year 1971 was to be fought against Joe Frazier, and when it took place, it became known as “Fight of the Century.” The contest ended with Frazier claiming victory in a 15-round classic, which also marked Ali’s first professional defeat. Just six months later, however, Ali would effect a rematch and earn legendary status by avenging that defeat.
8. He Passed The World By as the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’
The historic 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” saw Ali go up against the undefeated George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire. Using his clever “rope-a-dope” tactic, Ali endured Foreman’s relentless attacks until fatigue set in then knocked him out in the eighth round to regain the world heavyweight title
9. First Ever Heavyweight Champ to Win Title 3 Times
Not only was Ali a champion but he also went down in history as the first boxer to win the heavyweight championship three times. 1964: vs. Sonny Liston; 1974: vs. George Foreman; 1978: vs. Leon Spinks. Thus, he was one of the most accomplished athletes of all time.
10. He Lived with Parkinson’s Disease Yet Stayed a Symbol of Strength
Ali retired in 1981, and then two years later Parkinson’s disease was diagnosed upon him after age 42. In spite of obstacles, he continued to appear at events worldwide, support charity events, and inspire millions. In 2005, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom a proper honor for a man who fought for far more than titles.
Final Word: Why Muhammad Ali Still Matters
Whether in the ring, in court, or in the streets, Muhammad Ali stood tall for what he believed. These facts do not merely highlight his wondrous career; they reflect the spirit of a man who changed the world through bravery, cleverness, and sheer willpower.
Written by RITESH SINGH
