The best punch trackers on the market
28th December 2020
By: Noah Abrahams
The ‘Greatest of All Time’, Muhammad Ali needs no introduction. A three-time lineal heavyweight champion, Olympic gold medalist and arguably the 20th Century’s most famous sportsman, the ‘Louisville Lip’ was truly one of a kind.
In memory of boxing’s favourite son, Boxing Guru brings you the ten things that you may not know about the ‘People’s Champion’.
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The stolen bicycle
In the October of 1954, a stolen bicycle from Louisville changed the world. Ali was 12 years old when first introduced to boxing. Known back then as Cassius Clay, the American schoolboy loved his bike just as much as he did talking.
When thief’s stole Ali’s bicycle in the winter of 54’, the future world champion vowed to police officers that he would pummel the culprit if caught.
The story goes that Kentucky policeman and boxing trainer Joe Martin, suggested that the upset youngster first learn how to fight before taking the law into his own hands.
Martin took Ali under his wing. Along with fellow trainer Fred Stoner, the two had moulded an amateur talented enough to beat anyone!
No, I won’t go!
Ali floated like a butterfly and throughout life stung like a bee. He famously however, missed out on his prime as an athlete, denied the right to box between 1967 and 1970.
Sentenced by the American government to five years in prison, fined $10,000, and stripped of his titles and passport, Ali was severely punished for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War.
On religious grounds, the proud Muslim made clear that he would not serve in the U.S. military when President John F Kennedy’s soldiers entered Asia in March 1965. As a consequence, the champion was arrested and convicted of draft evasion.
Ali exclaimed: “War is against the teachings of the Qur’an. I ain’t got no quarrel with them Viet Cong.”
In 1970, the New York State Supreme Court ordered Ali’s boxing license to be reinstated. He returned to the ring by knocking out Jerry Quarry that same year.
“One thing must be taken into account when talking about Ali – he was robbed of his best years, his prime years.” Ali’s trainer Angelo Dundee.
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The performer
Whilst exiled from the ring, Ali took to Broadway! A brief spell as a stage performer, the boxer starred in ‘Buck White’ the musical. One of several adventures during his 43-month suspension from sport, Ali played a militant black lecturer. The production ran for just four days in December 1969. A natural as with everything, Ali was even praised by the New York Times.
A reviewer from the newspaper, said that: “Ali sings with a pleasant slightly impersonal voice, acts without embarrassment and moves with innate dignity.”
The Irishman
The great grandson to Irishman Abe Grady, Ali’s charm almost certainly descended from his maternal County Clare routes. Grady emigrated from Ennis, Ireland to the United States in the 1860’s and eventually settled in Kentucky. In 2009, Ali visited and went to explore the town of Ennis for himself. Upon arrival, the world’s greatest pugilist was presented with a Freedom of The City certificate!
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Sink or swim
An icon both within and outside of sport, Ali thrived in all walks of life. Watched by an estimated 3.5 billion viewers as he lit the 1996 Olympic torch in Atlanta, it was after graduating from high school that the 18-year-old began his Olympic journey.
Travelling to Rome for the 1960 games and triumphing in Italy with the gold medal around his neck, Ali explained in his 1975 autobiography that the silverware didn’t stay there for very long.
Ali claimed that after returning to Louisville, he threw his award off a bridge and into the Ohio River. Whilst the story has been disputed, it is believed that the Olympian sunk his medal to protest against the racism that he still encountered in his hometown.
When lighting the torch 36-years-later, Ali was presented with a replacement medal.
Rumours suggest that on the flight to Rome, Ali wore a parachute due to his fear of flying!
The negotiator
As a respected Muslim and advocate for peace in the late 80’s and early 90’s, Ali was requested by those at the top of American government to help procure the release of US hostages oversees. A symbol of hope, Ali famously rescued 15 of his own countrymen from Iraq in 1990.
Laila Ali
Boxing was in the blood of Laila Ali. The eighth of her father’s nine children, ‘Madame Butterfly’ retired from an eight-year professional boxing career undefeated.
Holding the WBC, WIBA, IWBF and IBA female super middleweight titles, ‘Pretty Baby’ even turned back time and won the IWBF light heavyweight title in 2004.
Ali made history as she starred on the first Pay Per View boxing card ever to be headlined by women, beating the daughter of Joe Frazier – Jacqui Frazier-Lyde. Ali’s 10th victory, she won by majority decision in New York, 2001.
Ali, now an American television personality, retired from boxing with an impressive 24-0 record.
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The Wrestler
A wrestling fans dream come true; Ali fought an MMA fight! On the 26th June 1976, Ali challenged Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki to a wrestling bout in Japan.
Team Ali had no idea the seriousness of the contest. Presuming that the fight was staged, Ali was in for a nasty surprise when his leg almost had to be amputated.
Inoki caused serious damage to Ali’s legs in the event coined ‘The War of The Worlds.’ A gruelling display from both athletes resulted in a draw.
Fascinatingly, the two fighters formed a friendship as the years went by. Ali flew out to Japan and watched Inoki win his final match-up, beating former wrestler Don “The Predator” Frye.
Frank Sinatra
Dubbed ‘The Fight of The Century’, Ali’s return to boxing was spectacular. In the March of 1971, ‘The GOAT’ bounced back from his draft evasion suspension and took on ‘Smokin Joe’ Frazier at Maddison Square Garden.
The demand for tickets was so high that even the world’s most famous simply could not watch from inside the arena. Perhaps the best-known singer of all time, Frank Sinatra could only gain access to MSG as a photographer for Life magazine!
Ali was beaten by an extraordinary unanimous decision in favour of Frazier. Sinatra’s cover photo for Life shows Ali protecting himself from a deadly ‘Billy Boy’.
Tougher than a rock
According to his younger brother and former heavyweight boxer Rahman Ali, Muhammad would dodge rocks when practising movement and improving his speed as a youngster.
“He used to ask me to throw rocks at him,” Rahman said. “I thought he was crazy, but he’d dodge every one. No matter how many I threw, I could never hit him.”
Ali’s younger brother lived his life on the undercard. Winning 14 of his 17 professional bouts, Rahman knew full well that his older brother was the boss!
Watch: Ali – The Greatest
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