“If you even dream of beating me you’d better wake up and apologize.”
What if I tell you, once there was a 12 years boy who lost his priced possession; his beloved bicycle. He was so sad that he vowed to pummel the culprit. The officer (Joe Martin, who was also a boxing trainer) while reporting the theft suggested that the upset youngster should first learn how to fight and took him under his wing. Six weeks later, the young boy won his first bout in a split decision.
What if I tell you, the boy was the legendary Muhammad Ali, and the rest is history! (http://muhammadali.com)
Let’s just get over the superficial RIP statuses and fake bragging of how well we know Ali and comprehend to what the world has lost today!
“I’m young; I’m handsome; I’m fast. I can’t possibly be beat.”
The legendary unbeatable Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., January 17, 1942) was an American professional boxer, generally considered among the greatest heavyweights in the history of the sport.
We might not have watched this legend of the 20th century, fight on our TV sets, however only few would be unaware of his skills. Ali was an Olympic gold medalist and the first fighter to capture the heavyweight title three times.
From the start of his pro career, the 6-feet-3-inches heavyweight overwhelmed his opponents with a combination of quick, powerful jabs and foot speed, and his constant braggadocio and self-promotion earned him the nickname “Louisville Lip.”
Achievements
Muhammad Ali has won many awards and had many achievements.
1. In 1959 and 1960 he was National Golden Gloves light heavyweight champion, National Amateur Athletic Union Champion, Gold metal in the Rome Olympics for light heavyweight boxing.
2. In 1964-1967 Muhammad was the World Heavyweight Champion.
3. In 1974-1978 Ali was World Heavyweight Champion again.
4. In 1990 he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
5. He was chosen to light the Olympic torch in 1996.
6. In 1999 Ali was voted the BBC’s “Sporting Personality of the Century,” and Sports Illustrated named him “Sportsman of the Century.”
‘He’s Human, Like Us’
In the year 1984, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, possibly connected to the severe head trauma suffered during his boxing career. “I’m in no pain. A slight slurring of my speech, a little tremor. Nothing critical. If I was in perfect health — if I had won my last two fights — if I had no problem, people would be afraid of me. Now they feel sorry for me. They thought I was Superman. Now they can go, ‘He’s human, like us. He has problems.” In spite of the Parkinson’s, Ali remains in the public spotlight, traveling the world to make humanitarian, goodwill and charitable appearances. He met with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in 1990 to negotiate the release of American hostages, and in 2002 he traveled to Afghanistan as a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
Controversies:
Ali has also raised his voice against American racism. After he was refused services at a soda fountain counter, he said, he threw his Olympic gold medal into a river. Even as his health declined, Ali did not shy from politics or controversy, releasing a statement in December criticizing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump‘s proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States. “We as Muslims have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda,” he said.
After a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74.
“I never thought of the possibility of failing, only of the fame and glory I was going to get when I won, I could see it. I could almost feel it. When I proclaimed that I was the greatest of all time, I believed in myself, and I still do.” – Muhammad Ali.
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