Are you curious to learn some weird and wonderful facts about Muhammad Ali?
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It’s time to chat about Muhammad Ali facts.
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Facts about Muhammad Ali
1 – Muhammad Ali was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17th 1942. His birth name was Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.
2 – He is one of the most celebrated and successful boxers of all time. Muhammad Ali passed away at age 74 on June 3, 2016.
3 – He had a long boxing career, which spanned from 1960 to 1981. His professional record is 56 wins (37 by knockout) and 5 losses.
4 – Ali’s legacy was cemented with his victory over George Foreman in 1974 to win back the heavyweight championship.
5 – He was also known for his activism, including refusing to be inducted into the U.S Army during the Vietnam War. In 1967, he refused induction into the armed forces on religious grounds because he had been classified as a conscientious objector, but later changed his stance about not serving when told that he would be allowed to fight outside of North America and Europe.
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6 – His refusal led him being sentenced to five years in prison by a Houston draft board due to draft evasion. The Supreme Court overturned Ali’s conviction on June 28th 1971 stating that “The Government has failed to demonstrate how Mr Ali’s activities at home or abroad interfered with any program or activity of federal concern.”
7 – He is one of the best-known sports figures of the 20th century. Ali won the heavyweight championship title three times.
8 – In 1999 he was named “Sportsman of the Century” by Sports Illustrated magazine.
9 – As a child he was called “Cassius Clay” but later changed his name to Muhammad Ali when he joined the Nation of Islam and became a member of the Black Muslims.
10 – When he was 18, Ali competed in the Rome Olympics and won a gold medal in the 81kg weight division.
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11 – He was apparently angry when he was declined service at a restaurant due to his race so he threw his gold medal into the Ohio River.
12 – Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984.
13 – His nicknames were “The Greatest” and “The People’s Champion.”
14 – Known for his famous catchphrase “I am the greatest!” Ali has been ranked by many publications as one of the top ten athletes ever (Sports Illustrated), one of the 100 most influential people of all time (Time) and one of three boxers to be named “the greatest heavyweight champion” (Ring Magazine).
15 – At the time of his death, Ali had an estimated net worth of $80 million dollars.
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16 – He was married four times: his first wife was Sonji Roi (1964-1966), his second wife was Belinda Boyd (1967-1977), his third wife was Veronica Porche Ali (1977-1986) and his fourth wife was Yolanda Willaims (from 1986).
17 – He had nine children in total: Laila, Rasheda, Maryum, Asaad, Hana, Khaliah, Jamiliah, Miya and Muhammad Ali Jr.
18 – Before changing his name to Muhammad Ali, he changed his name to Cassius X first.
19 – He was banned from boxing for three years due to his draft evasion conviction. In 1970 the New York Supreme court finally allowed his boxing license to be reinstated.
20 – His father was a billboard painter and his mother was a domestic helper.
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21 – He started boxing when he was just 12 years old after someone stole his bike and he told a police officer that he wanted to thump the culprit.
22 – Cassius Clay released an album called I AM THE GREATEST in 1963.
23 – He convinced Saddam Hussein to free 15 hostages when Hussein invaded Kuwait during a 50 minute negotiation with the leader.
24 – Some famous Muhammad Ali quotes include:
Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.
I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.
He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.
25 – More famous Muhammad Ali quotes include:
It’s not bragging if you can back it up.
The man who has no imagination has no wings.
I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.
If you even dream of beating me you’d better wake up and apologize.
Don’t count the days, make the days count.
It’s hard to be humble, when you’re as great as I am.
