Muhammad Ali Visual Encyclopedia
Muhammad Ali Visual Encyclopedia
DK London
Project Editor Ashwin Khurana
Senior Art Editor Spencer Holbrook
US Executive Editor Lori Cates Hand
US Editor Ann Barton
Jacket Editor Claire Gell
Jacket Design Development Manager Sophia MTT
Producer, Pre-production Gillian Reid
Senior Producer Angela Graef
Managing Editor Francesca Baines
Managing Art Editor Philip Letsu
Publisher Andrew Macintyre
Art Director Karen Self
Associate Publishing Director Liz Wheeler
Design Director Phil Ormerod
Publishing Director Jonathan Metcalf
A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.
ISBN 978-1-4654-7346-2
A WORLD OF IDEAS:
SEE ALL THERE IS TO KNOW
www.dk.com
CONTENTS
1 2 3
A STAR IS BORN 6 TURNING PRO 24 TAKING
A STAND 54
Growing up 8 The Louisville 11 26 Sweet and sour 56
Meet the parents 9 First pro fight 28 The Vietnam War 58
Life in Louisville 10 Angelo Dundee 30 Ali refuses the draft 60
Racial segregation 12 5th Street Gym 32 Howard Cosell 62
The stolen Schwinn 14 Building a reputation 34 Speaking out 64
Learning his craft 16 Defeating the Protesting the war 66
Making sacrifices 17 Old Mongoose 36 Martin Luther King Jr. 67
Golden Gloves 18 The Louisville Lip 38 Ali, the father 68
Making the Olympics 20 Fight of the Year 40 The tide turns 70
Olympic Gold 22 Drew Bundini Brown 42
Clay, the recording artist 43
‘Enry’s ‘Ammer 44
Howard Bingham 46
Riches and rewards 47
Heavyweight champ 48
Nation of Islam 50
Malcolm X 51
Clay becomes Ali 52
4 5 6
THE KING LIFE AFTER REFERENCE 114
RETURNS 72 BOXING 100
Fight of the Century 74 Ali, the ambassador 102 Ali’s life 116
Joe Frazier 76 Fight with Ali’s fight file 118
Deer Lake camp 78 Parkinson’s 104 Quotable Ali 120
Jaw breaker 80 Lonnie Ali 106 Ali trivia 122
Don King 82 Meeting Mandela 108
Pre-fight brawl 84 Lighting the
Super Fight II 85 Olympic flame 109
Getting ready Laila Ali 110
GLOSSARY 124
to rumble 86 Presidential Medal
Rumble in the Jungle 88 of Freedom 111 INDEX 126
George Foreman 90 A light goes out 112
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 128
Thrilla in Manila 92 Remembering Ali 113
Ali, the actor 94
The mismatch 95
Regaining the belt 96
The final fight 98
READY TO GO
Clay strikes a pose during a 1962
photoshoot in New York City, in
the middle of a hectic schedule
of fights. He fought and won
his fourth contest of the year,
a bout against American Billy
Daniels, just two days after this
photo was taken.
A STAR
IS BORN
The man we know today as
Muhammad Ali was born with the
name Cassius Clay. At the tender
age of 12, Clay committed his life
to boxing. His skill and dedication
saw him rise through the ranks of
amateur boxing, become a national
level amateur champion, and gain
an Olympic gold medal—all while
he was still a teenager.
GROWING UP
THE HOUSE WAS
ALWAYS FULL OF
LAUGHTER... HE
ALWAYS HAD SUCH A
HUGE PERSONALITY.
– Rudolph Clay, later
known as Rahaman Ali
8
MEET THE PARENTS
sa’s
Odes er, Abe
fath
grand was said to n
, a
Grady ite Irishm
h to
be a w emigrated s
wh o Sta t e
nited
the U e 1870s.
in th
9
LIFE IN LOUISVILLE
To the outside world, the city of
Louisville in the state of Kentucky
was best known as the location of the
Kentucky Derby horse race. In 1947,
the Clay family moved into 3302 Grand
Avenue—a two-bedroom, single-floor
house on the western side of the city.
Cassius Clay and his younger brother
Rudy shared a bedroom. They played
many games together—from marbles
to touch football—although Cassius
preferred drawing to team sports.
However, he did enjoy playing tricks on
his younger brother, such as tying a
string to the curtains, which he then
pulled at night to pretend there were
ghosts in the room.
Cassius and Rudy would sometimes
accompany their father on painting
jobs, learning how to mix and apply the
paint. While their upbringing was mostly
comfortable, the family’s income wasn’t
always steady. Many of the brothers’
clothes were hand-me-downs from
other members of their community or
obtained from second-hand stores.
sius
When Cas
n ey
lacked mo re,
s fa
for the bu
run and
he would all the
us
race the b ool.
wa y to s ch
10
CASSIUS WAS A VERY EASY-TO-GET-ALONG-WITH
FELLOW. VERY EASY TO HANDLE. VERY POLITE.
– Christine Martin, wife of Joe Martin,
Clay’s first boxing coach
A CHILD AT HEART
On a trip home to Louisville in
1963, Cassius pretends to fight
a group of local children outside
his family house. Throughout his
A star is born
11
COUNTER PROTESTS
White supporters of racial
segregation gather in 1959 in
Little Rock, Arkansas. Two years
earlier, mass protests at the
enrollment of nine African-
American students at Central
High School in Little Rock led
to troops being sent in to
ensure peace was maintained.
12
RACIAL SEGREGATION
Slavery was abolished in the United
States in 1865, but Cassius Clay grew
up in a world where African-American and
white people were still treated differently.
In the 1940s and 1950s, local and
state laws in many of the southern states
enforced racial segregation. This meant
that African-American and white people
were kept apart for much of their daily lives.
They were forced to live in different areas
and attend separate schools. Clay learned
from a young age not to stray into white
neighborhoods, and witnessed friends
and family members refused service or
water in whites-only establishments.
Segregation frequently led to African-
American people being treated as second-
class citizens. Their facilities were often
poorer and inferior to the amenities
available for white people, and they were
barred from using certain parks, stores,
restaurants, and even drinking fountains.
From the 1950s onward, a rising civil
rights movement against this discrimination
(see page 67) led to changes in segregation
laws, but racial tensions and violence still
flared, which troubled young Clay deeply.
13
THE STOLEN SCHWINN
Despite segregation, Louisville was
a relatively peaceful city during Cassius
Clay’s childhood. But a crime committed
there would set 12-year-old Clay on the
path to greatness. It occurred on the day
that he and his friend, John Willis, pedalled
across town to visit the Louisville Home
Show at the Columbia Auditorium. It gave
Clay a chance to enjoy his red-and-white
Schwinn bicycle, which had cost his parents
$60, a large sum at the time.
After enjoying the show—and
especially, the free popcorn—Clay realized
his bike had been stolen. Upset and angry,
he sought out the nearest policeman, who
happened to be in the auditorium’s
basement. Joe Martin was a white police
officer who had coached boxers at the
Columbia Gym since 1938. A furious Clay
reported the crime, and threatened to
find and beat up the thief. Martin
calmly suggested that the slender
young boy might need to learn how to
fight and defend himself first. Clay
left without his bike, but with a gym
application form that Joe had given
him, and a desire to return.
14
I TOLD HIM... THAT IF HE REALLY
WANTED TO FIGHT SOMEONE... COME
DOWN AND BE TAUGHT PROPERLY.
– Joe Martin
GOOD BALANCE
A 21-year-old Clay enjoys a cycle trip
A star is born
15
LEARNING HIS CRAFT
Cassius Clay was entranced by rld
the sounds, sights, and smells 1 9 6 8 Wo t
The yweigh y
of the Columbia Gym and soon Heav on, Jimm
pi ed
became a frequent visitor. On Cham lso train a
a i
many occasions, his brother Ellis, Columb
t th e s id e
Rudy came too. a a long
Gym ng Clay.
Joe Martin and the boxers at you
the gym were not particularly
impressed by Clay’s talent or his
skinny, 89 lb (40 kg) frame, but they
soon came to admire his dedication
and desire for improvement.
Clay’s first amateur bout
against a child his own age called
Ronnie O’Keefe occurred just six weeks
after his first visit to the gym. The two
boys flailed away with wild punches
over three short, one-minute rounds.
Neither boy landed many telling
blows, but Clay was declared the
winner. He was absolutely thrilled,
and was soon heading to the gym
as often as possible.
16
MAKING SACRIFICES
17
GOLDEN GLOVES
As Cassius Clay learned his craft, he developed
into a highly promising young boxer. Amateur
boxing records are sketchy, but it is thought that
he won more than 100 bouts. He was the champion
of Kentucky’s Golden Gloves boxing competition
six times and was twice the Amateur Athletic Union
champion in the light heavyweight division.
In 1958, Clay entered the national Golden
Gloves competition, held in Chicago. He
reached the quarter finals, but was stopped
in the second round by local boxer Kent
Green. This would be his last loss by
a stoppage for 22 years.
In 1959, Clay won his first
national Golden Gloves title as a light
heavyweight, defeating Australian
Anthony Madigan in the final. The
following year, he stepped up to
the heavyweight division, despite
weighing less than 175 lb (79 kg). His
opponent in the final, Gary Jawish,
weighed 232 lb (105 kg) but proved
no match, as Clay dominated the fight
before winning in the third round.
18
FIGHT FILE
OPPONENT: Gary Jawish,
age 25, American
A star is born
19
MAKING THE OLYMPICS
20
ALL SMILES
A beaming Clay (far right) leans
out from the back of the row of the
TRAINING FOR GOLD
amateur boxers that formed the US
Olympic team. Two members besides Television journalist Dick
Clay—Edward Crook Jr. (fourth from Kirschner interviews Clay at
left) and Wilbert “Skeeter” McClure
the US Olympic boxing team’s
(not pictured here)—would also
bring home gold. training camp at Fort Lee, New
Jersey, shortly before their trip
to Rome. Clay was touted by
many experts as the US team’s
best hope of a boxing gold medal
at the Olympics.
C l ay b
parac ought a
h
an arm ute from
store y surplus
an
throu d wore it
g
flight hout the
to Rom
e.
A star is born
21
OLYMPIC GOLD
The confident and brash Cassius Clay came to
the Olympic Games in Rome to win, but a line of
fighters stood in his way. At just 18 years old, the
young Clay had boxing experts divided—could
he box as well as he could talk?
Professional boxing matches today consist of
up to 12 rounds; before 1982, they could last up to
15 rounds. Olympic boxers are, however, amateurs
and so fight a maximum of three rounds.
Clay had to beat three boxers to make it to
the final. His extraordinary technique was clear
from the outset, when he comfortably defeated
the Belgian Yvon Becaus. He continued to
impress in the second fight, after which the
experienced Soviet Gennadi Shatkov said of
the American, “There is no disgrace in losing
to a boxer like that.” After toppling the tough
Australian Anthony Madigan, Clay set up a final
against Zbigniew Pietrzykowski from Poland.
The Pole landed some heavy punches
in the first two rounds, but Clay found his
rhythm in the final round, leaving Pietrzykowski
slumped against the ropes. All five judges
awarded the fight to Clay on points, earning
him the gold medal.
22
FIGHT FILE
OPPONENT: Zbigniew
Pietrzykowski, age 25, Polish
o p p C l ay ’ s
o fin
Pie nent “ al
t
had rzy Zigz
b ko y”
m e e e n a ws k i
d
195 alist bronz
6 O at th e
ly m
pics e
.
A star is born
23
AN UNSTOPPABLE FORCE
A triumphant Ali is lifted into the
air by his cornerman, Drew Bundini
Brown, after defeating Sonny Liston
in their second fight. Ali knocked
Liston out after just 2 minutes,
12 seconds of the first round.
TURNING
PRO
Cassius Clay turned professional in
1960, quickly gaining a reputation
for his fast hands and feet. He
became the world champion at
the age of 22 when he defeated
Sonny Liston in 1964. Clay also
converted to Islam and changed
his name to Muhammad Ali that
same year.
ta
a y b o u g h i ll a c
Cl Cad
o s e -pink r t of the
r a pa
with ance from 1.
a d v i s v i ll e 1
ou
the L
CENTER OF ATTENTION
Clay jokes for the camera during a
meeting with nine of the Louisville
11 in early 1963. He holds up six
fingers to predict he will defeat his
next opponent, Douglas Jones, in
the sixth round.
26
THE LOUISVILLE 11
27
FIRST PRO FIGHT
Cassius Clay made his
professional debut at the
age of 18, in front of 6,810
people packed into Louisville’s
Liberty Hall. His opponent, Tunney
Hunsaker—who was 12 years older
than him—had already fought
26 times, and worked as the chief
of police in Fayetteville, West
Virginia. The bout was scheduled
for six rounds, double the number
Clay had faced in the Olympics.
As the fight unfolded, Clay
landed rapid combinations of
punches. Hunsaker was not seriously
hurt by many of the blows, but
couldn’t land his own punches on
his fast, young opponent.
By the fourth round, Hunsaker
was suffering a bleeding nose and
a cut above his eye, splashing blood
on Clay’s white shorts. The two
judges and referee scored the
fight as a comfortable win for Clay,
who now had his first professional
victory and was hungry for more.
28
HE’S AWFULLY GOOD
FOR AN 18-YEAR-OLD
AND AS FAST AS A
MIDDLEWEIGHT.
– Tunney Hunsaker, about Clay
after the fight
The m
the t oney from
i
for th cket sale
fight e Huns s
w ak
to a l as don er
ocal ated
ch
hosp ildren’s
ital.
FIGHT FILE
OPPONENT: Tunney Hunsaker,
age 30, American
29
ANGELO DUNDEE
Born in Philadelphia, Angelo Dundee moved to
Miami in the 1950s to work as a boxing manager
and trainer with his brother, Chris. Cassius Clay
first met Dundee in 1957 as a confident 15-year-
old boy, and told him about all the championships
he planned on winning.
In December 1960, Dundee was appointed
Clay’s trainer, after Clay couldn’t get
along with his trainer Archie Moore (see
pages 36–37), who wanted him to change
his style and box more defensively.
Dundee remained with Clay for
59 of his 61 professional fights and
achieved a remarkable rapport with
the fighter. Polite, likeable, and
intelligent, he knew not to boss
Clay around. Instead, he planted
ideas in Clay’s mind and made the
boxer think they were his own.
In a long career, Dundee worked
with more than a dozen other
world champions, including Sugar
Ray Leonard and George Foreman
(see pages 90–91).
A CLOSE BOND
Dundee tapes Clay’s hands for
protection in the Territorial Army Gym
at White City, London, before the
boxer dons his gloves for sparring.
Clay trained here for his fight with
the British boxer Henry Cooper.
30
IF ANGELO HADN’T
BEEN IN MY CORNER, I
WOULDN’T BE WHERE
I AM TODAY.
– Muhammad Ali in a New York Times
interview in 1981
so
ee al r
Dund the boxe
e d n d
train y Ellis a er
Jimm his corn s
in i’
wa s r t h a n A l r
h e
rat n the p i .a
whe t in 1971
h
fo u g
Turning pro
31
5TH STREET GYM
Located in a run-down part of Miami Beach, the
5th Street Gym was opened in 1950 by boxing
promoter Chris Dundee, with his younger brother,
Angelo, operating as a trainer. Reached by a
rickety flight of stairs, this gym was a no-frills
place of work with just the bare essentials
for boxing, including training equipment
and rubdown tables where boxers could
have their tired bodies massaged.
Cassius Clay threw himself into training at the
5th Street Gym as soon as he arrived in Florida in
1960. It would remain his prime training base
throughout the rest of the decade. There,
he spent long sessions with Angelo Dundee
(see pages 30–31) and watched other boxers
while resting, especially enjoying the slick
skills of Cuban welterweight, Luis Manuel
Rodríguez—who would become world
champion in 1963.
Thousands of fighters and spectators
passed through this celebrated gym,
often called the “University of Boxing,”
before its closure in 1992.
32
TRAINING HIM WAS A
WHOLE DIFFERENT
BALLGAME FROM MOST
FIGHTERS. YOU DIDN’T HAVE
TO PUSH. IT WAS LIKE JET
PROPULSION. JUST TOUCH
HIM AND HE TOOK OFF.
– Angelo Dundee
Turning pro
33
BUILDING A
REPUTATION
Cassius Clay lurches away from a powerful
right-hand punch thrown by his opponent George
Logan in April, 1962. It was Clay’s 13th professional
fight in the middle of a hectic period, which saw
him fight and win 13 bouts in just 17 months.
The first fight came within ten days of Clay’s
arrival in Miami in December, 1960. During this
period, his boxing education continued in the ring
against a variety of opponents, and out of the ring
with Angelo Dundee, who taught Clay everything
he knew about defense, preparation, and tactics.
In 1961, Clay enjoyed his first professional
knockout in his fourth fight, when he beat Jimmy
Robinson just 94 seconds into the first round. In
the same year, he defeated the 6-ft, 7-in (2-m)
giant Duke Sabedong. In his 11th fight, Clay
recovered from his first professional knockdown
to defeat Sonny Banks in four rounds.
In each bout, Clay found a way to win and,
along the way, he sealed his status as heavyweight
boxing’s fastest rising star.
FIGHT FILE
OPPONENT: George Logan,
age 25, American
34
INGEMAR JOHANSSON
35
DEFEATING THE
OLD MONGOOSE
Known as “The Old Mongoose,” boxer
Archie Moore had turned professional
seven years before Cassius Clay was born,
and had won more than 180 bouts in
his career. Moore had even been Clay’s
trainer for a short while, in 1960.
By the time he faced Clay, though,
Moore was in his mid-forties. He was
no match for Clay’s rapid-fire punching
and lightning fast footwork.
Before the fight, Clay predicted that,
“Moore will fall in four,” while Moore had
responded that he had invented a new
punch called the “lip buttoner,” which
would silence Clay. The verbal sparring
between the pair helped sell out the
16,200 capacity Sports Arena, the
Californian venue for the spectacle.
In the fight, it was clear that Moore’s
methodical defense could not keep Clay’s
punches at bay. The referee nearly stopped
the fight in the third round, but finally
stepped in during the fourth after Moore
suffered his third knockdown of the round.
Clay was triumphant. Moore fought
just once more in 1963, before retiring.
36
FIGHT FILE
OPPONENT: Archie Moore
(Archibald Lee Wright), age 45,
American
Archi
eM
the u oore wa
light ndispute s
h d
worl eavyweig
d cha ht
from mpion
19
to 19 52
60.
37
THE LOUISVILLE LIP
Cassius Clay had always possessed
a quick wit, but as his professional
career took off, he began to excel in
prefight predictions, jokes, and jibes.
This earned him the nickname,
the “Louisville Lip”.
He was inspired, in part,
by the famous wrestler,
“Gorgeous” George Wagner,
who played the boastful villain
before and during his bouts,
attracting large crowds. Clay
followed a similar path, bragging
outrageously about his own
talents and declaring himself “The
Greatest” long before he had even
fought for a world championship.
He began dismissing his opponents
as “ugly” or mocked them with
his scathing poems.
Far from discouraging him, Clay’s
trainer, Angelo Dundee, enjoyed the
boxer’s antics as they increased
media and public interest in the
young fighter. “Trash talking” was not
common in this era, and few sports
people of the time were as funny or
provocative as the “Louisville Lip”.
38
I SAW FIFTEEN THOUSAND PEOPLE MEDIA ATTENTION
COMING TO SEE THIS MAN GET BEAT
AND HIS TALKING DID IT. I SAID,
THIS IS A GOOD IDEA!
– Cassius Clay talking about wrestler,
“Gorgeous” George
COOPER IN FIVE
Clay displays five fingers, the number
of rounds he predicts his 1963 fight
with Henry Cooper will last. He told
reporters, “It ain’t no jive, Henry Cooper
will go in five!”. This was one of the
many prefight predictions he made
correctly between 1961 and 1963.
Turning pro
39
FIGHT OF THE YEAR
Cassius Clay’s second fight of tracks. Clay fought hard to regain
1963 saw him fill up New York City’s control of the fight in the middle
famous Madison Square Garden. rounds, but was jeered as the fourth
Many of the 18,732 spectators round passed and his prediction
came to support Clay’s hometown failed. It would take a late flurry of
opponent, Douglas Jones, hoping punches in the final two rounds
to see the “Louisville Lip” fail. of the ten-round contest for Clay
Clay predicted he would knock to secure a narrow points victory.
Jones out in six rounds, but when One of the oldest American boxing
the two clashed in the media, he magazines, The Ring, labelled the
revised his forecast to four rounds. bout, the “Fight of the Year,” but many
In the early rounds, Clay was thought Clay was lucky to prevail
surprisingly meek, and a powerful and needed to improve greatly if
right-hand punch from Jones during he hoped for a shot at becoming
the first round stopped Clay in his the world champion.
FIGHT FILE
OPPONENT: Douglas Jones,
age 26, American
40
Jon
o u t e s wa
-b s
in a oxed totally
bou n exh by Cla
thr t in Lo ibition y
ee
ye a u i s v i l
rs l l
ate e
r.
41
DREW BUNDINI BROWN
Trainer and cornerman, Drew After joining forces with Clay, Brown
Bundini Brown was part of boxer quickly made himself indispensable
Sugar Ray Robinson’s entourage as a fast-talking joker, sidekick, and
before joining Cassius Clay’s cheerleader for the champ-in-waiting.
camp in 1963. He also coined one of Clay’s most
Growing up, the Florida-born famous phrases, “float like a butterfly,
Brown had lived a colorful life. sting like a bee.”
He had lied about his age to join Except for a short spell from 1965
the United States Navy at age 13. to 1967, when he was ousted from
Discharged two years later, he spent Clay’s entourage by the Nation of Islam
the next 12 years traveling the world (see page 50), Brown remained in Clay’s
as a sailor on merchant ships. corner to the end of the boxer’s career.
42
CLAY, THE RECORDING
ARTIST
43
FIGHT FILE YOU GOT A QUEEN, YOU
OPPONENT: Henry Cooper,
age 28, British
NEED A KING. I AM KING!
– Cassius Clay at the weigh-in
DATE AND PLACE: June 18, 1963, for the fight
Wembley Stadium, London, UK
THE UNSEEN
Clay strikes Cooper with a low blow,
which the referee fails to spot during
the fight. A low blow is any punch
below an imaginary line drawn from
the hip bones across the body.
44
‘ENRY’S ‘AMMER
Cassius Clay’s first professional fight abroad
was in front of 35,000 people against a
hometown boxer he labelled “a bum” and not
even worth training for. Henry Cooper was eight
years older and more than 20 lb (9 kg) lighter
than Clay, but possessed a thunderous left
hook—a punch nicknamed “‘Enry’s ‘Ammer.”
Clay entered the ring to a chorus of boos
and was surprised by Cooper’s aggressive start.
He was hit hard with body punches, and jabs
to the face bloodied Clay’s nose. At the end
of the fourth round, he was knocked down
by a huge left hook from Cooper. Only
the bell and his eagle-eyed trainer,
Angelo Dundee, saved Clay from
defeat. Dundee spotted a small tear
in Clay’s glove and alerted the
referee, resulting in a short delay.
The break cleared Clay’s head
and he came out in the fifth round
to pummel Cooper, giving the
referee no option but to stop the
fight. Clay had survived his first
fight abroad, but not without
an almighty scare.
45
HOWARD BINGHAM
The young photographer Howard The pair, who shared the same
Bingham was just starting out at the sense of humor, traveled the world
Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper when together. Bingham took more than
he first met Cassius Clay and his half a million photographs of Clay,
brother Rudy. It was April 1962, just as well as covering many other news
days before Cassius’s fight with George and sports events.
Logan. The Clay brothers were new to A modest and community-minded
the city, so Bingham offered to show person, Bingham lived in the same
them around in his old Dodge Dart small house in Los Angeles for most
car. It would be the start of a lifelong of his life. He died at the age of 77,
friendship between Clay and Bingham. in 2016, just five months after Ali.
46
RICHES AND REWARDS
By March 1964, three years into his
professional career, Cassius Clay had
earned one million dollars.
For his second professional bout
in 1960 he had received $200, but as
he continued to win in the ring, his
reputation began to grow—and so did
his prize money. He received more than
$56,000 to fight Henry Cooper in 1963
and more than $450,000 for his February
1964 bout against Sonny Liston—at
a time when the average wage in the
United States was $88 per week.
While much of the money went
to training expenses and
the share of the Louisville
Sponsoring Group (see pages
26–27), Clay still got to enjoy
some of the rewards, such as
buying a new home for his
parents in Louisville.
BIG MONEY
Clay poses with what was supposed
to represent a million dollars in
the Bank of America vaults in Los
Angeles. This image became one
of 40 Sports Illustrated magazine
covers to feature Clay.
47
I SHOOK UP THE WORLD,
I’M THE KING OF THE WORLD.
YOU MUST LISTEN TO ME.
I AM THE GREATEST!
– Cassius Clay after the fight
FIGHT FILE
OPPONENT: Sonny Liston,
age 32, American
48
HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP
Cassius Clay’s first attempt at a world title was
his 1964 fight against Sonny Liston. In the build-up
to the bout, Clay provoked and upset the reigning
champion with stunts and taunts, including calling
Liston a “big, ugly bear.”
Despite his bravado, Clay feared the hard-hitting
Liston and entered the fight as an underdog. After
all, in his previous two fights (both against Floyd
Patterson) Liston had demolished his opponent
with knockouts in the first round.
Liston charged at Clay from the start, but
found his challenger’s movements too
fast to land many powerful punches.
Clay boxed sharply and had taken
control by the third round.
Disaster struck Clay in round
four, when his eyes began
stinging and his vision blurred.
He nearly quit, but urged on
by his coach Angelo Dundee,
survived the next round and
attacked Liston heavily in the
sixth. Liston, his face bruised
and his shoulder injured,
didn’t come out for round
seven. In one of boxing’s
biggest shocks, Clay
was now heavyweight
champion of the world.
49
NATION OF ISLAM
Islam is a religion with more than also promoted other ideas, such as
1.6 billion followers. Beginning in the African-American community
the 7th century in modern-day Saudi relying on itself for work. It also
Arabia, the faith spread quickly. proposed that African-Americans
Today, Islam is practiced globally. and white people live separately,
The Nation of Islam (NOI), in opposition to the teachings of
however, is different. It was founded the civil rights leader Martin Luther
in Detroit, Michigan, by Wallace D. King Jr. (see page 67), who believed
Fard in 1930. Four years later, Elijah in ending segregation.
Muhammad became its leader. As a young man, Cassius Clay
The NOI shared many beliefs and identified with the NOI and its beliefs,
practices with Islam, such as praying and at one point, he was the group’s
five times a day. However, the group most recognizable figure.
ELIJAH MUHAMMAD
Clay meets NOI leader Elijah
Muhammad (right). In the
period of Elijah Muhammad’s
leadership, membership of
the NOI rose from 400 in
1952 to more than 200,000
by the end of the 1960s.
Turning pro
50
MALCOLM X Whe
n in
Malc troduced
o
not k lm X did ,
n
Cassi ow tha
u t
a f a m s C l ay wa
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Malcolm Little did ous b s
oxer
not become Malcolm X until 1950. He changed his .
name to “X” in order to be free of the surname,
which would have been that of a slave master.
Confident and charismatic, Malcolm X became
a fearless spokesperson for the Nation of Islam
(NOI) in the 1950s. He inspired Cassius Clay—
and his younger brother Rudy—to join the NOI,
which was considered a controversial group.
In 1964, Malcolm X left the NOI, but he
remained a devout Muslim and civil rights
activist until he was killed in 1965.
A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON
In 1964, Clay fans were jubilant after
the boxer defeated Sonny Liston to
win his first world heavyweight title.
With the excited crowd around him,
Turning pro
51
I AM MUHAMMAD ALI, A FREE
NAME—IT MEANS BELOVED OF
GOD, AND I INSIST PEOPLE USE IT
WHEN PEOPLE SPEAK TO ME.
– Muhammad Ali announcing his change
of name to the world in March 1964
A NEW JOURNEY
Muhammad Ali shakes the hand
of Nation of Islam leader Elijah
Muhammad (right) when visiting
his Chicago home in 1966. Ali
Turning pro
52
CLAY BECOMES ALI
By defeating Sonny Liston to become the
heavyweight champion, Cassius Clay made
the entire boxing world sit up and take notice
of him. His next move, though, would make
news beyond the world of boxing.
Clay had sought a faith to guide him through
the turbulent times of the 1960s in the United
States. Having attended many meetings of
the Nation of Islam (NOI), and influenced by
the African-American leader Malcolm X, Clay
converted to Islam. Soon after the Liston fight,
he told reporters that he had changed his
name to Cassius X because “Clay” was
his unwanted slave name. Less than two
weeks later, NOI leader Elijah Muhammad
announced that Cassius Clay would now
be called Muhammad Ali.
Some people were angry and fearful of
the young champion’s change of name and
religion. Most newspapers continued to refer
to him as Cassius Clay for years afterward,
and certain venues refused to stage his fights.
During this time, Clay—now known as
Muhammad Ali—sought support from the
NOI. In 1967, Herbert Muhammad—one of
Elijah Muhammad’s sons—took over from
the Louisville Sponsoring Group (see pages
26–27) to become Ali’s manager.
53
TAKING
A STAND
MAKING A POINT
Ali shows the news of a large
protest march against the Vietnam
War in 1966. The following year,
he would refuse to be drafted
into the United States Army.
56
THAT NIGHT, HE WAS THE
MOST DEVASTATING
FIGHTER WHO EVER LIVED.
– Howard Cosell, about Ali’s
bout against Williams
KNOCKED OUT
Ali walks away after knocking
down Cleveland Williams at the
end of round two. This was
the third of four knockdowns
that Williams suffered at Ali’s
hands in this bout.
FIGHT FILE
OPPONENT: Cleveland Williams,
age 33, American
57
THE VIETNAM WAR
In 1954, the southeast Asian country military advisors in 1960 to more than
of Vietnam gained its independence 485,600 troops in 1967. They hoped to
from France. Vietnam was split into use their technological superiority
two—a northern half controlled by to secure a rapid victory.
communist forces and a southern However, American troops found
part that counted the United States themselves fighting an often hidden
among its allies. enemy who relied on hit-and-run
When North Vietnam attacked raids, ambushes, and acts of sabotage.
South Vietnam, American leaders were Progress was slow, and casualties—
fearful of the spread of communism. both military and civilian—mounted
In the following years, the United until 1973, when US forces withdrew.
States increased its military aid to In 1975, North Vietnamese armies
South Vietnam—from less than 1,000 gained control of South Vietnam and
the country was reunified as one
nation the following year.
58
WE ARE FIGHTING A WAR
WITH NO FRONT LINES...
THE ENEMY HIDES IN THE
JUNGLES AND MOUNTAINS.
– General William C. Westmoreland,
Commander of the United States forces
in Vietnam, 1967
Taking a stand
59
ALI REFUSES THE DRAFT
Starting in the 1950s, the United States became involved
in the conflict in Vietnam (see pages 58–59). Later, American
military required healthy young men to enlist in the army—
this was known as the draft. Muhammad Ali refused to
be inducted, arguing that as a Muslim he adhered to the
non-violent principles of Islam. He fervently believed that
the United States should not be fighting in Vietnam.
As a result, the courts fined Ali $10,000, confiscated
his passport, and sentenced him to five
years in prison. Although Ali appealed
the conviction and he remained free,
he was banned from boxing for
the next three years. Boxing
authorities were also angered at
Ali’s stance and stripped him of
his heavyweight title.
Through all of this, he always
stood by his beliefs. While many
people viewed Ali as unpatriotic,
others thought he was a hero for
speaking out against the war.
MARCHING IN PROTEST
In 1968, Ali made a rousing speech
in San Francisco to a crowd of 12,500
people protesting against the
Vietnam War draft. The large crowd
adored the boxer. Here, an activist
hands him a bouquet of flowers.
60
I AIN’T GOT THE TRIAL IN TEXAS
NO QUARREL
Ali talks to reporters on
WITH THEM his way to court in Houston,
VIETCONG. Texas in June 1967. It took
the jury just 20 minutes to
– Muhammad Ali, 1967 dismiss Ali’s claim that he
was a “conscientious objector”
because of his religious
beliefs. Time magazine wrote,
“it appears unlikely that
Clay… will ever again be a
championship contender.”
Taking a stand
61
HOWARD COSELL
62
YOU’RE A PHONY, AND
THAT THING ON YOUR
HEAD COMES FROM
Taking a stand
63
I’M EXPECTED TO
GO... FREE PEOPLE
IN SOUTH VIETNAM,
AND AT THE SAME
TIME MY PEOPLE
HERE ARE GETTING
BRUTALIZED...
– Muhammad Ali, speaking
during one of his lectures
64
SPEAKING OUT
After Muhammad Ali was found guilty of refusing
the draft in June 1967, his life was turned upside
down. He could not leave the United States or box
anywhere within its borders. Many public figures
spoke out against him, and his legal appeals against
the court’s decision would take nearly four years.
It was a deeply unsettling time for Ali—he was
deprived of his main source of income and to make
matters worse, did not know if he would be sent to
prison or be able to box professionally ever again.
While Ali continued to train and study Islam, he also
spent much of this period talking to college students
all over the country. Ali spent weeks drafting
speeches that he gave to more than
200 colleges, for which he was paid.
Ali spoke about his opposition
to the Vietnam War, his faith, and
issues such as segregation and black
pride. It enabled him to reach new
audiences, not just boxing fans.
65
PROTESTING THE WAR
Some Americans opposed the country’s involvement in the war.
Vietnam War (see pages 58–59) In 1968 alone, more than 16,000
from the start, but as the conflict American personnel lost their lives
raged on, the numbers of anti-war in Vietnam, and around 58,000 during
protestors swelled. the entire war.
As the hope of the United States The following year saw many
military gaining a quick victory large anti-war demonstrations
dissolved and casualties mounted, across the country. There were
more Americans began to also pro-war rallies held around
question and oppose their the country, as the issue
divided American society.
ANTI-WAR SENTIMENT
On November 15, 1969, anti-war
protestors march down Pennsylvania
Avenue in Washington, D.C. This rally
featured close to half a million people.
Taking a stand
66
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
Born in Atlanta in 1929, Martin segregation (see pages 12–13) in all
Luther King Jr. followed in his father’s walks of life and became a critic of
footsteps to become a Baptist the Vietnam War (see pages 58–59).
minister. Inspired by the Indian King won the Nobel Peace Prize
political leader Mahatma Gandhi’s in 1964, the same year that then US
use of non-violent resistance, president Lyndon B. Johnson signed
King was at the forefront of the the Civil Rights Act. This act created
American Civil Rights movement equal rights for all people in areas
in the 1950s and 1960s. such as voting and education.
King preached protest and change In 1968, while supporting a strike
without violence in the form of by African-American sanitation
peaceful marches, strikes, and the workers in Memphis, Tennessee,
boycott of services. He opposed King was assassinated.
67
ALI, THE FATHER
Muhammad Ali’s years in exile from boxing
saw great changes in his personal life. In
1967, Ali married Khalilah (formerly known
as Belinda Tolona Boyd), and soon after
became a father for the first time.
The couple had first met in 1961 when Ali
had visited her school, the University of Islam,
in Chicago. They married in August 1967, and
moved from Chicago to Philadelphia, before
settling in New Jersey in 1971.
Ali loved children and was overjoyed
when their first child, Maryum (known as
May May), was born in 1968. Two years later,
the couple greeted the arrival of twin
daughters Jamillah and Rasheda. They also
had a son, Muhammad Eban, two years
after Ali’s boxing ban was lifted.
With his third wife, Veronica Porsche,
Ali would have two more children—
Hana and Laila (see page 110).
Later in life, Ali adopted a
boy, Asaad, with his
fourth wife, Lonnie
(see pages 106–107).
68
FATHER AND SON
Ali kisses his newborn son, Muhammad
Eban Ali Jr., alongside his wife Khalilah.
Ali’s first son was born on May 14,
1972—just 13 days after Ali defeated
Canadian boxer, George Chuvalo.
Taking a stand
69
THE TIDE TURNS
Muhammad Ali’s mid-to-late twenties
should have been the peak of his boxing
career, but instead he was barred from the
sport for more than three and a half years.
By the end of the 1960s, though,
people’s attitudes toward the Vietnam
War had begun to change. As more people
turned against the war, Ali’s principles and
his stand against the conflict no longer
seemed as dangerous and unpatriotic as
before. He received increasing support from
public figures and, while his legal appeals
dragged on, attempts were made to get
him back into the boxing ring.
In 1970, the city of Atlanta, Georgia, finally
granted Ali a license to box, after more than 20
other states had refused to do so. Ali returned
to a strict training regime and fought an
exhibition bout, before taking on Jerry Quarry
in Atlanta on October 26, 1970—some 3 years
and 7 months since his last professional bout.
The following year, the Supreme Court
of the United States finally overturned his
conviction. The court held that Ali’s refusal of
the draft was valid due to his sincere religious
beliefs. The king of the ring was back.
70
THE COMEBACK KING
Ali fought American Jerry
Quarry in 1970, in an event
attended by many celebrities.
Although he was a little rusty
in the ring, Ali boxed well
enough to win the fight by
the end of the third round.
71
THE KING
RETURNS
After his exile, Muhammad Ali returned to boxing in 1970. In this
phase of his career, he endured his first professional defeats,
and enjoyed some of his most memorable triumphs. He became
the world champion for a second, and then a third time.
74
HE AIN’T THE GREATEST. FIGHT FILE
HE’S BEEN KIDDIN’ OPPONENT: Joe Frazier,
HIMSELF AND THE WORLD. age 27, American
The
fi
bro ght w
a
12 l dcast as
an in
to a guage
300 ound s
r
T V v m i ll i o
iew n
e rs .
75
JOE FRAZIER
One of 13 children from a poor South Carolina
family, Joe Frazier built a glittering amateur boxing
career, which included three national Golden
Gloves titles and a 1964 Olympic gold medal.
On turning professional in 1965,
Frazier won his first 11 fights, all
by knockouts. In 1970, he defeated
Jimmy Ellis to become world
champion. His reign included
a memorable defeat of
Muhammad Ali (see pages
74–75), and lasted until 1973
when he was defeated by George
Foreman, who knocked Frazier
down six times in under two rounds.
After two further epic bouts with
Ali, Frazier suffered a second loss to
Foreman in 1976 and retired from
boxing. He returned briefly in 1981,
drawing a fight with Floyd “Jumbo”
Cummings, before retiring
for good. Frazier trained his
daughter, Jacqui, who won
her first world title in 2001,
making them the first father-
daughter pair of boxing
world champions. Frazier
died on November 7, 2011,
in Pennsylvania.
76
HE WAS RELENTLESS... YOU HAD TO
HIT HIM WITH A SLEDGEHAMMER
TO PUT HIM AWAY.
– Joe Bugner, former boxer, in a 2011 radio
show tribute to Frazier
FORMIDABLE FORCE
Frazier works a punch ball hard before his
1970 world title defense against American
boxer Bob Foster. Stocky and powerfully
built, Frazier boxed in a crouched posture.
From this position, he would constantly
press forward, pressurizing his opponents
and launching his crunching hook shots.
77
DEER LAKE CAMP
Seeking time away from the limelight to
train and focus properly, in 1972 Muhammad Ali
constructed his purpose-built Deer Lake training
camp in the Pennsylvania countryside. Here,
he prepared for most of his remaining fights.
Ali first came across the Deer Lake area
when training in a basic gym there owned
by Bernie Pollack, the manager of Ali’s 1967
opponent, Ernie Terrell.
Deer Lake contained more than a dozen
wooden buildings. These included a dining
hall, a mosque, a barn for horses that Ali
sometimes rode, and a gym where he
worked on his own or with sparring partners.
Despite its relative seclusion, Deer
Lake saw many celebrity visitors, such as
the actor Sylvester Stallone, the artist
Andy Warhol, and singers Elvis Presley
and Frank Sinatra.
e
97, th
In 19 as sold
w
camp turned
a n d nd
a b ed a ed
int o a ll
a k f ast c y
bre Butterfl
the e.
& Be
The king returns
78
HARD AT WORK
Ali chops a tree at the
camp as part of his training
regime, which included early
morning runs through the
hills, sometimes accompanied
by local children. Ali also had
boulders dotted around the
camp painted with names of
The king returns
79
AN UNBELIEVABLE UPSET
Norton advances on Ali in their first
fight. The result was the shock defeat
of Ali—the firm favorite. Ali trained
especially hard for the rematch, which
he won in September 1973. The pair
then fought a third time in 1976, with
Ali winning again.
No
rt
jus on ha
pre t $3 d ea
rec viou 00 fo rned
e s r
for ived fight his
thi $5 . He
$2 s bo 0,0
0 0
the 0,00 ut an 0
rem fo 0 d
atc r
h.
The king returns
80
JAW BREAKER
Muhammad Ali’s first fight against
Ken Norton was his 11th bout since his
1971 loss to Joe Frazier. These fights included
rematches against Floyd Patterson and Jerry
Quarry, as well as one against old Louisville
rival, Jimmy Ellis—all of which he had won.
However, Ali underestimated his next
opponent—Norton—calling him “an amateur.”
Ali even played golf when he should have been
training in the week before the fight. Norton
was an ex-US Marine who possessed a powerful
physique, but few thought he would last
long against Ali.
They were wrong. Norton proved a dangerous
opponent, who crossed his arms in defense
and threw his jab upward from waist height—
most boxers jab with their arm at shoulder
level. This made him tricky to fight against.
Norton also had a sledgehammer of a punch,
breaking Ali’s jaw during the fight. Ali bravely
boxed on for the rest of the 12-round bout,
but he lost the fight in a close contest.
FIGHT FILE
OPPONENT: Ken Norton,
age 29, American
81
DON KING
Controversial and garrulous, boxing
promoter Don King grew up in Cleveland,
Ohio. From a young age, he became
involved in running illegal betting
games. In 1967, he was imprisoned,
but was released in 1971.
Entering the business of boxing in
1971, he convinced Muhammad Ali to
box in a charity match to raise funds
for a Cleveland hospital in 1972. Two
years later, King arranged one of Ali’s
biggest fights—the “Rumble in the Jungle”
against George Foreman. He guaranteed each
boxer a record-breaking $5 million, despite
not having the funds himself. So, he had to
turn to the president of Zaire (now Democratic
Republic of the Congo), Mobutu Sese Seko
(see page 86), to sponsor the fight.
King would go on to promote seven of
Ali’s bouts and more than 500 world
championship fights in
the 1980s and 1990s.
These fights featured
boxers such as Mike
Tyson, Roy Jones Jr.,
and Larry Holmes.
82
DON IS THE ONLY PERSON...
WHO CAN PROMOTE
A FIGHT BY FORCE OF
PERSONALITY.
-– Lou DiBella, boxing promoter
In 1994
, Do
promo n King
record ted a
47
champ world
ion
fights ship
in a
single
year.
83
PRE-FIGHT BRAWL
Tensions were rising between increasingly angry and bitter at
Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier before the verbal abuse he suffered.
their scheduled match in 1974. The animosity between the pair
Ali’s previous contest against the spilled over during a TV show hosted
Dutchman Rudi Lubbers had been by Howard Cosell (see pages 62–63)
so easy that he even spoke to ringside two days before their fight. Ali and
reporters in between rounds. However, Frazier got into a brawl and rolled
Frazier was a far tougher opponent. around on the studio floor.
Ali stepped up the war of words Both of the boxers were fined
before the contest, accusing Frazier $5,000 for the ugly scene, which
of not caring about issues faced by only heightened interest in their
African-Americans. Frazier became forthcoming clash.
84
SUPER FIGHT II
85
A CROWD FAVORITE
Ali stokes up a large number
of Zairians by pretending that
r
orme
Ali’s f and
he can’t hear them. Before his
fight with George Foreman on r
October 30, 1974, Ali drew large traine , Archie
ent
o p p o n , wa s o n e
crowds wherever he went.
e
Moor eman’s
o f o r r s fo r
F
traine ht.
the fig
86
GETTING READY
TO RUMBLE
In the summer of 1974, Muhammad enjoyed whipping up support among
Ali and George Foreman, the reigning the local people and firing out
world heavyweight champion, flew to comments and speeches to reporters.
Zaire (now the Democratic Republic Ali’s camp, though, was tense.
of the Congo) to train for the richest Foreman boasted a 40–0 fight record,
fight in boxing history at the time— which included wins against the
known as the “Rumble in the Jungle.” only two boxers to defeat Ali—
Each boxer would receive $5 million Ken Norton and Joe Frazier. Both
for the bout. of them had lasted for just two
The fight was scheduled for rounds against Foreman.
September 24, but was delayed after Not since the first fight against
Foreman was injured in training. This Sonny Liston (see pages 48–49) had
left the champion to recuperate and Ali’s friends and training team feared
brood, while Ali—the challenger— as much for their boxer’s safety.
87
RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
At 4 am in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic
Republic of the Congo), 60,000 roaring spectators
were getting ready to watch Muhammad Ali fight ,
e match
George Foreman. By some reports, another one After th ed that
itt
billion people around the world tuned in to their Ali adm never
television sets to watch the fight known as the he had rd
it so ha
“Rumble in the Jungle.” been h life.
in his
Ali’s fans chanted ringside in the local
language of Langala, “Ali, bomaye!” (Ali, kill him!),
but the 32-year-old Ali was the underdog against
the reigning world heavyweight champion,
25-year-old Foreman. In fact, many boxing
experts feared for Ali’s safety against the
formidable Foreman, who came into the bout
unbeaten in 40 consecutive fights.
Foreman started confidently, landing hard
punches on Ali, who relied on his quick jabs and
lightning footwork. In the second round, Ali did
something completely different, shocking even.
While his trainer Angelo Dundee (see pages 30–31)
watched in disbelief from his corner, Ali let Foreman
hit him again and again, as he slumped against the
ropes. Ali continued with this strategy, nicknamed
“rope-a-dope,” until round eight. His body hurt, of
course, but Foreman became exhausted. Then, with
a flurry of punches ending in a right hook, Ali sent
Foreman to the canvas. Against all odds, Ali was the
world heavyweight champion for the second time.
88
MOMENTS FROM VICTORY
Ali stands back as the referee,
Zack Clayton, calls the count over
Foreman, who finds himself lying
on the canvas. The crowd is on its
feet, as they loudly cheer for Ali’s
return as champion.
FIGHT FILE
OPPONENT: George Foreman,
age 25, American
89
AT HIS PEAK FOREMAN HAD A TRUE AURA OF
INVINCIBILITY. JUST WATCHING GEORGE
TRAIN... WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. THE
RAFTERS SHOOK, THE FLOOR RUMBLED.
– Monte D. Cox, boxing historian
an
Forem his
ed
nam George,
sons ld
five hey wou ng
t i
so
e s o meth ”
!
“ h av o m m o n
in c
INSPIRING TEENAGERS
Foreman poses with his world
The king returns
90
GEORGE FOREMAN
In 1973, the formidable George Foreman
won his first world heavyweight championship
belt in sensational fashion, defeating Joe
Frazier by knocking him down six times in
under two rounds.
Foreman defended his title in similarly
brutal fashion, knocking Ken Norton out
in two rounds. Then, in 1974, he faced
Muhammad Ali in the “Rumble in
the Jungle” (see pages 88–89), which
resulted in a shocking loss.
Foreman first retired from
boxing in 1977 and became a
Christian minister, before making
an unexpected comeback to
the ring in 1987. Seven years
later, at the age of 45, he
became the oldest world
heavyweight champion,
when he beat Michael
Moorer in 1994.
In the mid-1990s, the
boxer had also lent his name to
and promoted the George Foreman Grill
for cooking burgers, with sales exceeding
100 million units worldwide.
Foreman won 76 of his 81 fights between
1969–1999, with 68 victories by knockout.
He was knocked out only once—by Ali,
whom he became close to in later years.
91
THRILLA IN MANILA
Staged in the Philippines in 1975 by
Don King (see pages 82–83), the
“Thrilla in Manila” is considered one of
the greatest and most brutal heavyweight
fights of all time. It was the third and
final fight between Muhammad Ali and
Joe Frazier. As the reigning heavyweight
champion, Ali was favored to win,
but Frazier wanted revenge for his
defeat the previous year.
Ali came out swinging, but
Frazier roared back in the middle
rounds, hitting Ali repeatedly
with his trademark left hook.
Ali appeared exhausted in the
ninth and tenth rounds, but then
exploded into life, landing flurries
of vicious punches.
By the 14th round, Frazier’s
right eye had completely closed
and his trainer, Eddie Futch,
ended the fight to stop further
punishment. Ali, who had been
close to quitting himself, raised
his arms wearily in triumph
before collapsing on the canvas.
92
FIGHT FILE
OPPONENT: Joe Frazier,
age 31, American
ON SET
The king returns
94
THE MISMATCH
In 1976, Muhammad Ali and 15-round bout on his back, throwing
Japanese wrestler and mixed martial kicks at Ali, who in return was only
artist Antonio Inoki took part in able to land a handful of punches.
a strange exhibition match. The The event ended in a draw amid
mixed martial arts (MMA) experiment a chorus of boos from the crowd.
took place at the Budokan Arena Afterward, Ali suffered with
in Tokyo, Japan, and Ali received blood clots in his legs that affected
$6 million to fight. his movement. However, the two
The contest failed in its attempts combatants remained friends and
to mix Ali’s and Inoki’s very different Ali flew to Japan in 1998 to witness
styles. Inoki spent much of the Inoki’s last bout before he retired.
95
The king returns
96
REGAINING THE BELT
Muhammad Ali fought Leon Spinks them were relieved when they saw
for the second time in September a noticeably sharper Ali in action. Ali
1978. Their first bout, in February lost the fifth round when penalized
of that year, had seen a shocking for holding on to his opponent, but
defeat for Ali at the hands of the was rarely in trouble.
1976 Olympic gold medallist in Spinks found it hard to land many
only his eighth professional fight. strong blows as Ali rolled back the
This defeat stung Ali. He even years with flashes of fleet footwork
went on a training run early in the and short flurries of stinging
morning after the fight, beginning punches. To choruses of “Ali, Ali”
his punishing preparations for a from fans, the judges awarded him
rematch straight away. the fight, making Ali—at the age
For the second fight, a crowd of 36—the first boxer in history
of 63,350 people packed the to win the world heavyweight
Louisiana Superdome, and most of championship three times.
FIGHT FILE
OPPONENT: Leon Spinks,
age 25, American
97
FIGHT FILE
OPPONENT: Trevor Berbick,
age 28, Jamaican-Canadian
98
THE FINAL FIGHT
Muhammad Ali retired from boxing for the
first time in 1979. However, he returned to
the ring a year later to fight Larry Holmes. Ali
suffered a crushing defeat in this one-sided
contest, which was stopped after the 10th round
by his trainer, Angelo Dundee (see pages 30–31).
After this loss, many in Ali’s entourage asked
him to retire for good. They worried about Ali’s
well-being, and the damage done to him by
two decades of taking blows from many of
the world’s hardest-punching boxers. Yet
Ali persisted and traveled to the Bahamas
to fight Trevor Berbick, a contest marred by
concerns for his health, and dogged by poor
organization—the promoters forgot to supply a
stopwatch or bell to signal the end of each round!
While Ali won the fifth and sixth rounds, he
faded as the fight progressed and had to use
all his willpower to avoid a knockout against
an overpowering Berbick. No one doubted the
judges’ decision at the end of ten rounds. This
was Ali’s fifth defeat in his glittering 61 fight
career. It was now time to hang up the gloves.
99
LIFE AFTER
BOXING
FOR PEACE AND HOPE
In 1998, Ali had been appointed a United
Nations “Messenger of Peace” for his
efforts in promoting the United Nations’
work around the world. Here, Ali sits
with young female students of a girls’
school in Kabul, Afghanistan, during
his 2002 visit.
102
ALI, THE AMBASSADOR
From the late 1970s Muhammad Ali had become
a celebrity, in and out of the ring, and he criss-
crossed the globe to support the charities and
causes he believed in.
At the request of the former American president
Jimmy Carter, Ali traveled to many African nations to
encourage them to join the United States and other
countries in not sending athletes to the 1980
Olympics, held in the Soviet Union (now Russia).
The boycott was a protest at the Soviet Union’s
invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.
After retiring from boxing in 1981, Ali continued
his work as a non-official ambassador. For example,
he visited Iraq in 1990, and met with many senior
Iraqi politicians, including the country’s president
at the time, Saddam Hussein. Though Ali’s three-day
trip was heavily criticized by the media, and met
with disapproval by the United States government,
it resulted in the release of 15 American workers
who were being held as hostages in Iraq.
Ali’s many humanitarian visits included trips
to meet famine victims in Bangladesh and travels
to Africa to promote peace and health initiatives.
He also visited China three times to help revive
boxing in that country.
FIGHTING TO HELP
Ali and actor Michael J. Fox
(right) joke around before a
2002 United States Congress
committee investigating
Life after boxing
104
FIGHT WITH
PARKINSON’S
As early as the late 1970s, some
people close to Muhammad Ali had
been alarmed by the boxer’s slowed
movement and slurred speech. Both
of these are classic symptoms of
Parkinson’s disease.
This disease destroys cells in
a small area of the brain that plays a
major role in movement and muscle
control. People with Parkinson’s
experience a loss of stability and
balance, uncontrollable shaking,
difficulty in sleeping and swallowing,
and changes in their speech, among
other symptoms.
Despite suffering from the effects
of the disease, Ali worked hard to
increase awareness of Parkinson’s. In
1997, he also raised funds to help open
and run a center within the Barrow
Neurological Institute, in Phoenix,
Arizona, to research this disease.
There is still no cure for Parkinson’s,
which affects more than 10 million
people worldwide. However, medicines
and surgeries can help control and
relieve some of the symptoms.
105
EVERYONE WHO MEETS
LONNIE LOVES HER,
BECAUSE SHE’S NICE, SHE’S
SMART, AND SHE LOVES ALI.
Life after boxing
– Howard Bingham
106
LONNIE ALI
Muhammad Ali and Yolanda “Lonnie”
Williams became a couple in the 1980s. In fact,
Lonnie had grown up on the same Louisville
street as Ali’s parents in the 1960s, and their
mothers were good friends.
Lonnie studied psychology at Vanderbilt
University, Tennessee, and moved to
Los Angeles in 1982 to pursue a masters in
business administration at the University
of California. She also became Ali’s caregiver,
as he was suffering from Parkinson’s disease
(see pages 104–105). The pair married in
1986, and adopted a five-month-old boy,
Asaad, in the same year.
Lonnie accompanied her husband on
his many trips, and helped to protect and
promote his business interests as well as the
charities and causes they both supported.
On their 19th wedding anniversary, in
November 2005, the couple opened a museum
and cultural venue called the Muhammad Ali
Center in Louisville.
107
MEETING MANDELA
The South African statesman Nelson While in prison, Mandela followed Ali’s
Mandela first met Muhammad Ali in career. He was impressed not only with
1990, the same year that Mandela Ali’s boxing mastery, but also with how
was released after serving 27 years in he used his personality and fame to
a South African prison for supporting challenge the injustices he faced in life.
the anti-apartheid movement. The pair met a few more times,
As a young man, Mandela had including in South Africa in 1993, a
trained as a boxer. However, he was year before Mandela was elected the
more interested in the science of the country’s first black president. Mandela
sport and the dedication it required died in Johannesburg on December 5,
than the actual fights. 2013, at the age of 95.
COMMON CAUSES
Mandela throws a mock punch at
Ali during their meeting in Dublin,
Republic of Ireland, to promote
Life after boxing
108
LIGHTING THE
OLYMPIC FLAME
The climax of the Opening Ceremony
at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in
Atlanta, Georgia, involved a flaming torch
being passed between former Olympic
heroes, but the identity of the final athlete
had been kept a closely-guarded secret.
It was revealed when American
champion swimmer, Janet Evans, passed
the torch to Muhammad Ali, and the
entire stadium and millions of television
viewers worldwide gasped. Parkinson’s
disease (see pages 104–105) had clearly
taken a toll on Ali, who fought hard to
control his shaking body. He successfully
lit the Olympic flame—it was a powerful
and emotional moment.
During the Atlanta Games, Ali also
received a replacement for his 1960
Olympic gold medal (see pages 22–23),
which he had lost.
109
LAILA ALI
aila
2 0 01, L ui
In cq
ht Ja e
foug Lyde—th
er - li’s
Frazi hter of A r—
daug Joe Frazie
r i va l d w o n .
an
Muhammad Ali’s sixth child, Laila Ali, streak as her father, who eventually
completed a degree in business and relented and attended many of his
owned a nail salon before entering the daughter’s fights. In Laila’s first bout
world of boxing. She was inspired to in 1999, it took her just 31 seconds
do so after watching an entertaining to overcome American April Fowler.
women’s boxing match in 1996 When Laila ended her career in
between American boxer Christy Martin 2007, she retired with an unbeaten
and Deidre Gogarty from Ireland. 24-fight record. Along the way, she
At first, Ali opposed the idea, won five different world title belts—
fearing for his daughter’s safety. But one at light-heavyweight and four
Laila shared the same independent in the super-middleweight division.
110
PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL
OF FREEDOM
111
A LIGHT GOES OUT
After battling breathing difficulties
and failing health, Muhammad Ali
died at the Osborn Medical Center in
Scottsdale, Arizona, on June 3, 2016.
He was 74 years old.
Ali’s death dominated global news
and tributes poured in from all over
the world. A week after his death, a
motorcade carrying his coffin drove
through his childhood hometown of
Louisville. Thousands of people lined the
route, which followed the road taken by
18-year-old Cassius Clay when he had
returned home in triumph with his 1960
Olympic gold medal (see pages 22–23).
After a private burial, a public
memorial service was attended by
about 15,000 people, including
former US president Bill Clinton,
and many boxing legends such
as Larry Holmes and George
Foreman (see pages 90–91).
112
REMEMBERING ALI
THE KING LIVES ON
New York City’s West 33rd
Street is temporarily renamed
Muhammad Ali Way as a
tribute following the boxer’s
death. The street ran close to
Madison Square Garden where
Ali fought several times as
an amateur boxer and eight
times as a professional.
Muhammad Ali was many things— on the Vietnam War (see pages 58–59)
a loyal friend, a doting father, a cost him three-and-a-half years of
man of faith, and a sporting legend. his career, he stood by his beliefs and
He also had a sparkling, sharp- emerged as a force for change.
witted personality. Ali is admired the world over for
As a skilled and charismatic fighter, his unflinching principles as well as
Ali redefined how boxing was viewed for the bravery and dignity he showed
by many and attracted legions of new while battling Parkinson’s disease
fans to the sport. Though his stance toward the end of his life.
113
REFERENCE
Muhammad Ali’s professional
boxing career spanned more than
two decades, with him winning
56 of his 61 fights. The following
pages give Ali’s entire fight record
and highlight some less well-known
facts about his life and examples of
his sharp, sometimes profound, wit.
A HERO FOR ALL AGES
Ali signs autographs at a children’s
play group in London, UK, in 1966.
He visited them just six days
before his second fight against
British boxer Henry Cooper.
ALI’S LIFE
Muhammad Ali led a fascinating
and, at times, controversial life
during a period of great change
in the United States and the
world. Here is a timeline of key MARCH 6, 1964 MARCH 22, 1967
Cassius Clay officially Ali fights and defeats Zora Folley.
moments and events in the life changes his name This is Ali’s last fight before being
of “The Greatest.” to Muhammad Ali stripped of his title and boxing license
shortly after winning as he refused to be drafted into
his first heavyweight the US Army for the Vietnam War.
championship belt.
JUNE 28, 1971
In the court case of
Cassius Marcellus Clay
1959 Jr. vs. United States,
1954 Clay wins his the Supreme Court
A 12-year-old Clay joins the first Intercity reverses Ali’s 1967
Columbia Gym in Louisville, run Golden Gloves conviction for
by police officer Joe Martin. amateur title. refusing the draft.
1940 1960
OCTOBER 1, 1975
Ali fights Joe Frazier for
a third and final time in
the Philippines and wins,
in a fight known as the
“Thrilla in Manila.”
116
OCTOBER 3, 1980
Ali comes out of
retirement to face Larry
Holmes at Caesars
Palace in Las Vegas,
Nevada. Holmes
overwhelms Ali and NOVEMBER 19, 2005
the fight is stopped
The Muhammad Ali Center—a
after 10 rounds.
non-profit museum and cultural
center—is opened by Muhammad
and Lonnie Ali in Louisville, Kentucky.
1984 1990
Ali is officially diagnosed Ali travels to Iraq and helps JULY 27, 2012
with Parkinson’s disease secure the release of 15 Ali attends the
after five days of Americans held hostage Olympic Games held
tests at a New York by the Iraqi regime led by in London, UK, as
medical center. Saddam Hussein. an honorary guest.
117
ALI’S FIGHT FILE
Fight 1: October 29, 1960 Fight 8: July 22, 1961 Venue: Sports Arena, Fight 23: March 29, 1966
Opponent: Tunney Hunsaker Opponent: Alonzo Johnson Los Angeles, California Opponent: George Chuvalo
(USA) (USA) Result: Clay won by knockout (Canada)
Venue: Freedom Hall, Venue: Freedom Hall, (5th round) Venue: Maple Leaf Gardens,
Louisville, Kentucky Louisville, Kentucky Toronto, Canada
Result: Clay won by Result: Clay won by unanimous Fight 16: November 15, 1962 Result: Ali won by unanimous
unanimous decision decision (10th round) Opponent: Archie Moore (USA) decision (15th round)
(6th round) Venue: Sports Arena,
Fight 9: October 7, 1961 Los Angeles, California Fight 24: May 21, 1966
Fight 2: December 27, 1960 Opponent: Alex Miteff Result: Clay won by technical Opponent: Henry Cooper
Opponent: Herbert Siler (USA) (Argentina) knockout (4th round) (UK)
Venue: Auditorium, Miami Venue: Freedom Hall, Venue: Arsenal Football
Beach, Florida Louisville, Kentucky Fight 17: January 24, 1963 Stadium, London, UK
Result: Clay won by technical Result: Clay won by technical Opponent: Charles Powell Result: Ali won by technical
knockout (4th round) knockout (6th round) (USA) knockout (6th round)
Venue: Civic Arena, Pittsburgh,
Fight 3: January 17, 1961 Fight 10: November 29, 1961 Pennsylvania Fight 25: August 6, 1966
Opponent: Anthony Esperti Opponent: Willi Besmanoff Result: Clay won by knockout Opponent: Brian London (UK)
(USA) (Germany) (3rd round) Venue: Earls Court Arena,
Venue: Auditorium, Miami Venue: Freedom Hall, London, UK
Beach, Florida Louisville, Kentucky Fight 18: March 13, 1963 Result: Ali won by knockout
Result: Clay won by technical Result: Clay won by technical Opponent: Doug Jones (USA) (3rd round)
knockout (3rd round) knockout (7th round) Venue: Madison Square Garden,
New York City, New York Fight 26: September 10,
Fight 4: February 7, 1961 Fight 11: February 10, 1962 Result: Clay won by unanimous 1966
Opponent: Jimmy Robinson Opponent: Sonny Banks (USA) decision (10th round) Opponent: Karl Mildenberger
(USA) Venue: Madison Square Garden, (Germany)
Venue: Convention Center, New York City, New York Fight 19: June 18, 1963 Venue: Waldstadion/
Miami Beach, Florida Result: Clay won by technical Opponent: Henry Cooper (UK) Radrennbahn, Frankfurt,
Result: Clay won by technical knockout (4th round) Venue: Wembley Stadium, Germany
knockout (1st round) London, UK Result: Ali won by technical
Fight 12: February 28, 1962 Result: Clay won by technical knockout (12th round)
Fight 5: February 21, 1961 Opponent: Don Warner (USA) knockout (5th round)
Opponent: Donnie Fleeman Venue: Convention Center, Fight 27: November 14,
(USA) Miami Beach, Florida Fight 20: February 25, 1964 1966
Venue: Auditorium, Miami Result: Clay won by technical Opponent: Sonny Liston (USA) Opponent: Cleveland Williams
Beach, Florida knockout (4th round) Venue: Convention Center, (USA)
Result: Clay won when Miami Beach, Florida Venue: Astrodome, Houston,
Fleeman retired (6th round) Fight 13: April 23, 1962 Result: Clay won when Liston Texas
Opponent: George Logan (USA) retired (6th round) Result: Ali won by technical
Fight 6: April 19, 1961 Venue: Sports Arena, knockout (3rd round)
Opponent: LaMar Clark (USA) Los Angeles, California Fight 21: May 25, 1965
Venue: Freedom Hall, Result: Clay won by technical Opponent: Sonny Liston (USA) Fight 28: February 6, 1967
Louisville, Kentucky knockout (4th round) Venue: Central Maine Civic Opponent: Ernie Terrell (USA)
Result: Clay won by knockout Center, Lewiston, Maine Venue: Astrodome, Houston,
(2nd round) Fight 14: May 19, 1962 Result: Ali won by knockout Texas
Opponent: Billy Daniels (USA) (1st round) Result: Ali won by unanimous
Fight 7: June 26, 1961 Venue: St. Nicholas Arena, decision (15th round)
Opponent: Duke Sabedong New York City, New York Fight 22: November 22, 1965
(USA) Result: Clay won by technical Opponent: Floyd Patterson Fight 29: March 22, 1967
Venue: Convention Center, knockout (7th round) (USA) Opponent: Zora Folley (USA)
Las Vegas, Nevada Venue: Convention Center, Venue: Madison Square Garden,
Result: Clay won by Fight 15: July 20, 1962 Las Vegas, Nevada New York City, New York
unanimous decision Opponent: Alejandro Result: Ali won by technical Result: Ali won by knockout
(10th round) Lavorante (Argentina) knockout (12th round) (7th round)
118
Fight 30: October 26, 1970 Fight 38: June 27, 1972 Venue: Madison Square Garden, Fight 54: May 24, 1976
Opponent: Jerry Quarry (USA) Opponent: Jerry Quarry (USA) New York City, New York Opponent: Richard Dunn (UK)
Venue: City Auditorium, Venue: Convention Center, Result: Ali won by unanimous Venue: Olympiahalle, Munich,
Atlanta, Georgia Las Vegas, Nevada decision (12th round) Germany
Result: Ali won when Quarry Result: Ali won by technical Result: Ali won by technical
retired (3rd round) knockout (7th round) Fight 47: October 30, knockout (5th round)
1974
Fight 31: December 7, 1970 Fight 39: July 19, 1972 Opponent: George Foreman Fight 55: September 28,
Opponent: Oscar Bonavena Opponent: Alvin Lewis (USA) (USA) 1976
(Argentina) Venue: Croke Park, Dublin, Venue: Stade de 20 Mai, Opponent: Ken Norton (USA)
Venue: Madison Square Garden, Republic of Ireland Kinshasa, Zaire (Democratic Venue: Yankee Stadium,
New York City, New York Result: Ali won by technical Republic of the Congo) New York City, New York
Result: Ali won by technical knockout (11th round) Result: Ali won by knockout Result: Ali won by unanimous
knockout (15th round) (8th round) decision (15th round)
Fight 40: September 20, 1972
Fight 32: March 8, 1971 Opponent: Floyd Patterson Fight 48: March 24, 1975 Fight 56: May 16, 1977
Opponent: Joe Frazier (USA) (USA) Opponent: Chuck Wepner Opponent: Alfredo Evangelista
Venue: Madison Square Garden, Venue: Madison Square Garden, (USA) (Uruguay)
New York City, New York New York City, New York Venue: Richfield Coliseum, Venue: Capitol Center,
Result: Ali lost by unanimous Result: Ali won when Patterson Richfield, Ohio Landover, Maryland
decision (15th round) retired (7th round) Result: Ali won by technical Result: Ali won by unanimous
knockout (15th round) decision (15th round)
Fight 33: July 26, 1971 Fight 41: November 21, 1972
Opponent: Jimmy Ellis (USA) Opponent: Bob Foster (USA) Fight 49: May 16, 1975 Fight 57: September 29,
Venue: Astrodome, Houston, Venue: Sahara Tahoe Hotel, Opponent: Ron Lyle (USA) 1977
Texas Stateline, Nevada Venue: Convention Center, Opponent: Earnie Shavers
Result: Ali won by technical Result: Ali won by knockout Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
knockout (12th round) (8th round) Result: Ali won by technical Venue: Madison Square Garden,
knockout (11th round) New York City, New York
Fight 34: November 17, Fight 42: February 14, 1973 Result: Ali won by unanimous
1971 Opponent: Joe Bugner Fight 50: June 30, 1975 decision (15th round)
Opponent: Buster Mathis (Hungary/UK/Australia) Opponent: Joe Bugner
(USA) Venue: Convention Center, (Hungary/UK/Australia) Fight 58: February 15, 1978
Venue: Astrodome, Houston, Las Vegas, Nevada Venue: Merdeka Stadium, Opponent: Leon Spinks (USA)
Texas Result: Ali won by unanimous Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Venue: Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas,
Result: Ali won by unanimous decision (12th round) Result: Ali won by unanimous Nevada
decision (12th round) decision (15th round) Result: Ali lost by split
Fight 43: March 31, 1973 decision (15th round)
Fight 35: December 26, Opponent: Ken Norton (USA) Fight 51: October 1, 1975
1971 Venue: Sports Arena, Opponent: Joe Frazier (USA) Fight 59: September 15,
Opponent: Juergen Blin San Diego, California Venue: Araneta Coliseum, 1978
(Germany) Result: Ali lost by split Manila, the Philippines Opponent: Leon Spinks (USA)
Venue: Hallenstadion, Zurich, decision (12th round) Result: Ali won when Frazier Venue: Superdome,
Switzerland retired (14th round) New Orleans, Louisiana
Result: Ali won by knockout Fight 44: September 10, Result: Ali won by unanimous
(7th round) 1973 Fight 52: February 20, decision (15th round)
Opponent: Ken Norton (USA) 1976
Fight 36: April 1, 1972 Venue: Forum, Inglewood, Opponent: Jean-Pierre Fight 60: October 2, 1980
Opponent: McArthur Foster California Coopman (Belgium) Opponent: Larry Holmes (USA)
(USA) Result: Ali won by split Venue: Coliseo Roberto Venue: Caesars Palace,
Venue: Nippon Budokan, decision (12th round) Clemente, San Juan, Las Vegas, Nevada
Tokyo, Japan Puerto Rico Result: Ali lost after retiring
Result: Ali won by unanimous Fight 45: October 20, 1973 Result: Ali won by knockout (10th round)
decision (15th round) Opponent: Rudi Lubbers (5th round)
(the Netherlands) Fight 61: December 11,
Fight 37: May 1, 1972 Venue: Bung Karno Stadium, Fight 53: April 30, 1976 1981
Opponent: George Chuvalo Jakarta, Indonesia Opponent: Jimmy Young Opponent: Trevor Berbick
(Canada) Result: Ali won by unanimous (USA) (Jamaica/Canada)
Venue: Pacific Coliseum, decision (12th round) Venue: Capitol Center, Venue: Queen Elizabeth Sports
Vancouver, Canada Landover, Maryland Centre, Nassau, the Bahamas
Result: Ali won by unanimous Fight 46: January 28, 1974 Result: Ali won by unanimous Result: Ali lost by unanimous
decision (12th round) Opponent: Joe Frazier (USA) decision (15th round) decision (10th round)
119
QUOTABLE ALI YES THE CROWD
DID NOT DREAM
WHEN THEY LAID
Muhammad Ali’s quick wit and
way with words livened up many
DOWN THEIR
press conferences and interviews, MONEY, THAT THEY
both during his boxing career and WOULD SEE A
in his retirement. Here is just a TOTAL ECLIPSE OF
small selection of quotes from the
man nicknamed the “Louisville Lip.”
THE SONNY.
– During a press conference before
his 1964 fight with Sonny Liston
STAY IN COLLEGE,
GET THE KNOWLEDGE...
IF THEY CAN MAKE PENICILLIN
OUT OF MOLDY BREAD,
THEY CAN SURE MAKE
SOMETHING OF YOU!
– To a college audience during his
lecture tour in the late 1960s
I WON’T
I’M SO FAST
MISS
THAT LAST NIGHT I
BOXING.
TURNED OFF THE LIGHT IN MY
BOXING
HOTEL ROOM AND GOT INTO
WILL
BED BEFORE THE ROOM
MISS ME.
WAS DARK! – On his retirement, in 1981
– At a press conference before
his fight against George Foreman
in 1974
121
ALI TRIVIA
Do you know everything Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.
about “The Greatest”? was named after his
father, who himself was
Check out this collection
named after a white
of surprising and lesser- American plantation
known facts about owner (pictured) from
Muhammad Ali, a man the 19th Century who
of many talents. campaigned for the
abolition of slavery.
122
Ali and former heavyweight
champion Rocky Marciano took
part in a mock bout called “The
Super Fight,” which was shown
in hundreds of movie theaters in
1970. The pair filmed scenes where
they pretended to box each other,
even acting out different endings
to the fight with the eventual result
chosen by a computer. In North
America, the ending saw Marciano
win, but in Europe, a different
result saw Ali knock Marciano out.
123
GLOSSARY hook
A type of powerful punch
thrown by a boxer in a curving
arc by swinging his or her arm.
124
motorcade segregation unanimous decision
A procession, usually of slow- The deliberate separation of The term used to describe the
moving cars or other motor two things or people. Racial result of a fight in which all
vehicles traveling together. segregation is the forced judges agree unanimously on
separation in daily life of two the winner at the end of a fight.
non-violence or more sets of people based
A type of protest where on their race or ethnic group. underdog
people do not damage property A contender in a sport who is
or harm others. Non-violent slavery thought to have a lesser chance
protests include peaceful A social system in which a certain of winning than the favorite.
marches and refusing to section of people are owned,
buy a company’s goods or bought, and sold like property. weigh-in
use its services. Referred to as slaves, these people The weighing of each boxer
are made to work without wages. shortly before a fight to ensure
Parkinson’s disease that he or she is within the
A disease caused by the sparring weight limits of the division.
loss of nerve cells in a specific A form of training where a
part of the brain, which boxer practices his or her welterweight
affects mobility and control movements, punches, and A weight division in boxing
of the body. defense tactics against another between lightweight and
boxer, while usually wearing middleweight. Male boxers in
padded protective gear. this division weigh between
patriotism
147 lb (67 kg) and 154 lb (70 kg),
To show support and great
pride in one’s country.
split decision while female boxers weigh
The term used to describe the between 140 lb (64 kg) and
result of a fight in which the 147 lb (67 kg).
physique judges are divided over the
The size, shape, and overall winner of the bout.
appearance of a person’s body.
super-middleweight
professional A weight division in boxing
A person who takes part in between middleweight and light
a sport as a job and is paid heavyweight. Male boxers in this
to participate. division weigh between 168 lb
(76 kg) and 175 lb (79 kg), while
racism female boxers weigh between
The belief that all members 160 lb (73 kg) and 168 lb (76 kg).
of a particular race possess
similar qualities and abilities, Supreme Court
and that they are superior or The highest national law court
inferior to other races. in the United States.
125
Deer Lake Camp, Pennsylvania
INDEX
78–79
Democratic Republic of the Congo
see Zaire
demonstrations 12–13, 60–61,
66, 67
DiBella, Lou 83
A Liston, Sonny 48–49
drafting to war 60–61, 64–65, 70
acting 94 Logan, George 34–35
Moore, Archie 36–37 Dundee, Angelo 30–31, 34, 38
Afghanistan 100–101
Norton, Ken 80–81 at 5th Street Gym 32, 33
albums 43
Spinks, Leon 96–97 coaching during fights 45, 49,
Ali (2001 film) 117
Williams, Cleveland 56–57 88, 99
Ali, Asaad 107
pre-fight sparring 36, 38–39, Dundee, Chris 30, 32
Ali, Hana 68 Durham, Richard 94
Ali, Jamillah 68 84
Ali, Khalilah 68 retirement 98–99
training 30–31, 32–33, EF
see also Boyd, Belinda earnings 47, 122
Ali, Laila 68, 110 78–79, 81
wages 47 Ellis, Jimmy 16, 31, 81
Ali, Lonnie 68, 106–107, 111, 117 “’Enry’s ‘Ammer” punch 45
Ali, Maryum “May May” 68 Boxing Hall of Fame 62
family 8, 9, 68, 106–107, 110
Ali Jr., Muhammad Eban 68, 69 Boyd, Belinda 68
Fard, Wallace D. 50
Ali, Rahaman 8, 94 see also Ali, Khalilah
fear of flying 20, 21
see also Clay, Rudolph Brown, Drew Bundini 24, 42, 94
fights see boxing career, fights
Ali, Rasheda 68 Budokan Arena, Tokyo 95
“float like a butterfly, sting like
Ali, Veronica Porsche 68 Bugner, Joe 77
a bee,” phrase 42, 121
Amateur Athletic Union 18 Bush, George W. 111
Folley, Zora 116
amateur boxing 6–7, 8, 16, 17, 18 Foreman, George 90–91
Araneta Coliseum, Manila 93 C and Angelo Dundee 30
Carter, Jimmy 103 fights Joe Frazier 76
B change of name 52, 53, 56 “Rumble in the Jungle” 86, 87,
Banks, Sonny 34 charitable work 82, 103, 105, 108 88–89
Baptist church 9 childhood 8, 9, 10, 14 Fox, Michael J. 104
Barrow Neurological Institute, Civil Rights Act (1964) 67 Frazier, Joe 76–77, 84, 91
Arizona 104, 105 civil rights movement 50, 51, fights against Muhammad Ali
Becaus, Yvon 22 67, 111 74–75, 85, 92–93
Belkin, Gary 43 see also racial segregation Frazier-Lyde, Jacqui 110
Berbick, Trevor 98–99 Clay Sr., Cassius 9, 47, 122 Freedom Road (1979 film) 94
Bingham, Howard 46, 106 Clay, Odessa 9, 47 funeral 112
birth 8 Clay, Rudolph 8, 10, 16, 46,
boxing career 51, 122 GH
as amateur 6–7, 16, 17 see also Ali, Rahaman Golden Gloves 18–19
Golden Gloves 18–19 Clinton, Bill 109 Grady, Abe 9
see also Olympic Games, Columbia Gym, Louisville 14, 16, 17 Grammy nomination 43
Rome (1960) conscription (drafting to war) Greatest, The (1977) 94
becomes professional 28, 60–61, 64–65, 70 Green, Kent 18
34–35, 36–37 conviction, for refusing military Gym, 5th Street 32–33
becomes heavyweight service 60, 61, 65, 70 health 95, 99
champion 48–49, 96–97 Cook Jr., Edward 21 Parkinson’s disease 105,
comeback 70–71, 80–81 Cooper, Henry 39, 44–45 107, 109
fights 118–119 Cosell, Howard 62–63, 84 Holmes, Larry 99, 117
Cooper, Henry 44–45 Cox, Monte D. 90 Houston Astrodome, Houston 56
Foreman, George 88–89 Hudson, Allen 20
Frazier, Joe 74–75, 84, 85, D humanitarian work 103, 108
92–93 D’Amato, Cus 27 see also charitable work
Hunsaker, Tunney 28–29 Daniels, Billy 6 Hunsaker, Tunney 28–29
Jones, Douglas 40–41 death 112 Hussein, Saddam 103
126
IJK musical recordings 43 Shatkov, Gennadi 22
I Am The Greatest (1963 film) 43 Muslim faith 50–51, 53, 60 Sinatra, Frank 74, 78
Inoki, Antonio 95 see also Nation of Islam (NOI) singing 43
Iraq 103 Smart, Royce 102
Islam see Nation of Islam (NOI) NO Smith, Will 117
Jawish, Gary 18, 19 Nation of Islam (NOI) 42, 50, 51, 53 Soviet Union 103
Johansson, Ingemar 35 Norton, Ken 80–81, 91 Spinks, Leon 96–97
Jones, Douglas 40–41 Obama, Barack 112 spoken word albums 43
King, Don 82–83, 92 O’Keefe, Ronnie 16 sponsoring group (Louisville 11)
King Jr., Martin Luther 67 Olympic Games, 26–27, 47, 53
Kirschner, Dick 21 Atlanta (1996) 109 Sports Arena, Los Angeles,
Rome (1960) 20, 22–23, 109 California 34, 36
L homecoming 27, 112 Sports Arena, San Diego,
lecturing 64–65 opposition to war 60–61, 64–65, 70 California 81
legacy 113 Otto Hahn Peace Medal 111 sports commentary 62
Leonard, “Sugar” Ray 30 Sports Illustrated (magazine) 47
“lip buttoner” punch 36
P Stallone, Sylvester 78
Parkinson’s disease 104, 105, St. John’s University, New York
Liston, Sonny 24, 48–49
107, 109 64–65
Logan, George 34–35
Patterson, Floyd 20, 27, 49 Stoner, Fred 17
Louisiana Superdome,
Pietrzykowski, Zbigniew 22–23 “Super Fight II” 85
Louisiana 97
poetry 38, 43, 63, 120–121 Surekin, Bob 19
Louisville, Kentucky 9, 10–11, 14
Pollack, Bernie 78
Freedom Hall 28
popularity of 60, 86, 115 T
Louisville 11 sponsoring group
in Louisville 10–11, 15, 27, 112
26–27, 47, 53 Terrell, Ernie 56
Presidential Medal of Freedom 111
“Louisville Lip” 38–39, 120–121 Territorial Army Gym, London
Presley, Elvis 78
Lubbers, Rudi 84 30–31
prize money 47
“Thrilla in Manila” 92–93, 123
protests 12–13, 60–61, 66, 67
M public speaking 60, 64–65, 87
Time magazine 61
Madigan, Anthony 18, 22 trash talk 38
Madison Square Garden, trial, for refusing military service
QR 60, 61, 65, 70
New York City 18, 40, Quarry, Jerry 70, 71
74, 113 quotes 120–121 see also poetry Tyson, Mike 82
Malcolm X 51, 53 racial segregation 12–13, 50, 67
Mandela, Nelson 108 religion UV
Manila 92–93, 123 Baptist church 9 United Nations (UN) “Messenger
Marciano, Rocky 27, 123 Nation of Islam (NOI) 42, 50, of Peace” 100–101, 111
Martin, Christine 11 51, 53 United States Military
Martin, Joe 14, 15 opposition to war 60–61, 58–59, 60
trains Cassius Clay 16, 64–65, 70 United States Olympic Amateur
17, 20 Requiem for a Heavyweight Boxing 20
May Stadium, Kinshasa 88 (1962 film) 94 Vietnam War 58–59, 60, 66
McClure, Wilbert “Skeeter” 21 Ring, The (magazine) 40
medals 22, 109, 111 Robinson, Jimmy 34 WXYZ
“Messenger of Peace” for United Rocky (1976 film) 123 Wagner, “Gorgeous” George
Nations (UN) 100–101, 111 Rodríguez, Luis Manuel 32 38, 39
mixed martial arts (MMA) 95 “rope-a-dope” 88 war see Vietnam War
Mobutu Sese Seko, President “Rumble in the Jungle” 72–73, Warhol, Andy 78
of Zaire 82, 86 86–87, 88–89 Wembley Stadium, London 44
Moore, Archie 30, 36–37 promotion of 82 Wilson, Atwood 17
Muhammad, Elijah 50, 52, 53 Williams, Cleveland 56–57
Muhammad, Herbert 53 S Williams, Yolanda “Lonnie”
Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville Sabedong, Duke 34 106–107
107, 117 schools 12, 13, 17, 27 see also Ali, Lonnie
Muhammad Ali Way, New York 113 segregation 12–13, 50, 67 Zaire 72–73, 86–87, 88
127
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Dorling Kindersley would like to thank the Richard Meek / Sports Illustrated. 48–49 Getty Images: Neil Leifer. 98–99 Getty Images: John
following people for their assistance with Images: Bettmann. 50 Magnum Photos: Iacono / Sports Illustrated. 100–101 Getty
this book: Thomas Hoepker. 51 Getty Images: Bob Gomel Images: Paula Bronstein / UNICEF. 102–103
Priyanka Kharbanda for editorial assistance, / The LIFE Images Collection. 52–53 Magnum Getty Images: Maria Bastone / AFP. 104–105
Mohammad Rizwan for technical assistance, Photos: Thomas Hoepker. 54–55 Getty Getty Images: Douglas Graham / Roll Call.
Caroline Stamps for proofreading, and Images: Bettmann. 56–57 Getty Images: Neil 106–107 Getty Images: Neil Leifer. 108 Getty
Elizabeth Wise for the index. Leifer. 58–59 Alamy Stock Photo: Everett Images: Ray McManus / Sportsfile. 109 Getty
Collection Historical. 60–61 Getty Images: Images: Michael Cooper / Allsport. 110 Getty
Picture Credits Bettmann. 61 Getty Images: A. Y. Owen / The Images: J. Michael Okoniewski / Liaison Agency.
LIFE Images Collection (ca). 62–63 Alamy 111 Getty Images: Chuck Kennedy / MCT /
The publisher would like to thank the Stock Photo: ZUMA Press, Inc.. 64–65 Getty TNS. 112 Getty Images: Mark Cornelison /
following for their kind permission to Images: Popperfoto. 65 Getty Images: Joe Lexington Herald-Leader / TNS. 113 Getty
reproduce their photographs: Farrington / New York Daily News Archive (bc). Images: VIEWpress. 114–115 Getty Images:
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f-far; l-left; r-right; t-top) 70–71 Getty Images: Paul Slade / Paris Match. Sports Illustrated (bl). 117 Alamy Stock Photo:
71 Getty Images: The Ring Magazine (ca). Allstar Picture Library (bc). Getty Images:
2 Getty Images: Bettmann. 3 Getty Images: 72–73 Magnum Photos: A. Abbas. 74–75 Getty Volkan Furuncu / Anadolu Agency (crb);
The Stanley Weston Archive. 4 Getty Images: Images: Bettmann. 76–77 Alamy Stock Photo: The Ring Magazine (tl); James Leynse (tr);
Bettmann (ca, cra); The Stanley Weston Keystone Pictures USA. 78–79 Getty Images: Time & Life Pictures (clb). 119 Getty Images:
Archive (cla); Steve Schapiro (bl); Popperfoto The Ring Magazine. 79 Getty Images: Larry Bettmann. 120 Getty Images: Bob Gomel /
(br). 5 Getty Images: Paula Bronstein / UNICEF Shaw / Shaw Family Archives (bl). 80–81 Getty The LIFE Images Collection. 122 Library
(ca); R. McPhedran / Daily Express / Hulton Images: Neil Leifer. 82–83 Getty Images: of Congress, Washington, D.C.: LC-DIG-
Archive (cra). Magnum Photos: A. Abbas (cla). Paul Slade / Paris Match. 84 Getty Images: cwpbh-02748 (ca). Rex Shutterstock:
Rex Shutterstock: HeritageAuctions / The Ring Magazine. 85 Getty Images: Chris HeritageAuctions / Bournemouth News (bl).
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The Stanley Weston Archive. 8 Bridgeman Photo: Everett Collection Inc. 86 Getty Images: picture alliance (cl). Getty Images: Bettmann
Images: Christie’s Images. 9 Getty Images: Tony Triolo / Sports Illustrated (bl). 88–89 Rex (tr). 128 Getty Images: Chris J Ratcliffe
Neil Leifer. 10–11 Getty Images: Steve Shutterstock: AP. 90–91 Getty Images:
Schapiro. 12–13 Getty Images: Universal Bettmann. 92–93 Getty Images: Lawrence All other images © Dorling Kindersley
History Archive. 12 Getty Images: Schiller / Polaris Communications. 94 Getty
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Schapiro. 16 Getty Images: Bettmann. Takeo Tanuma / Sports Illustrated. 96–97 Getty www.dkimages.com
17 USA TODAY Sports: Tom Easterling /
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Photo Archive (ca). 22–23 Getty Images:
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28–29 USA TODAY Sports: Warren Klosterman
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Getty Images: Art Rogers / Los Angeles Times.
35 Getty Images: Underwood Archives (tr).
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Paris Match. 43 Getty Images: Bettmann.
44–45 Getty Images: Tony Triolo / Sports
Illustrated. 46 Getty Images: James Drake / Ali’s split glove
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against Henry Cooper