“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” is one of the best known quotes in the history of sports. Muhammad Ali stated the quote, and it stuck with him throughout his life and career. Muhammad was a professional boxer, and was even known as the greatest sports figure of the 20th century.
Muhammad Ali, also known as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, was born on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. His mother’s name was Odessa Grady Clay and his father was Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr., who Muhammad was named after. He had one sister and four brothers that always keep him on his toes at home. Muhammad grew up in a racial environment, and was denied a drink at his local grocery store because of his color. When his friend Emmett Till was murdered, …show more content…
Muhammad had the chance to regain the heavyweight belt in the “Fight of the Century,” but Joe Frazier beat him in the final round. This was Muhammad’s first lost as a professional boxer. He did not let the loss get to him and he won ten bouts in a row before losing to Ken Norton, but six months later he had a rematch against Ken Norton and defeated him. The victory against Norton got him a chance to fight against the champion, George Foreman. The fight was known as the “Rumble in the Jungle,” and Muhammad beat Foreman in the eighth round to finally get back the title of heavyweight champion. Ali was able to keep his title for four more years, but with Ali getting older he lost the title to Leon Spinks in 1978. Seven months later, Ali had a rematch against Spinks and defeated him in a fifteen round bout. Muhammad Ali was the first professional boxer to earn the world heavyweight title three times in one career. Muhammad decided to retire at the age of thirty-nine in 1981 and officially hung up the boxing gloves for good. Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984, probably due to the head trauma he suffered during his boxing career. Due to the disease, his health started to decrease and he could barely talk anymore. He did not let that get in the way of his life, so he still traveled and made charitable appearances. In 1990, Muhammad met with Saddam Hussein, Iraqi leader, to talk about releasing American hostages. He was also inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame that same year. During the 1996 Summer Olympics, Muhammad had the privilege to light the cauldron at the opening
Muhammad Ali, also known as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, was born on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. His mother’s name was Odessa Grady Clay and his father was Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr., who Muhammad was named after. He had one sister and four brothers that always keep him on his toes at home. Muhammad grew up in a racial environment, and was denied a drink at his local grocery store because of his color. When his friend Emmett Till was murdered, …show more content…
Muhammad had the chance to regain the heavyweight belt in the “Fight of the Century,” but Joe Frazier beat him in the final round. This was Muhammad’s first lost as a professional boxer. He did not let the loss get to him and he won ten bouts in a row before losing to Ken Norton, but six months later he had a rematch against Ken Norton and defeated him. The victory against Norton got him a chance to fight against the champion, George Foreman. The fight was known as the “Rumble in the Jungle,” and Muhammad beat Foreman in the eighth round to finally get back the title of heavyweight champion. Ali was able to keep his title for four more years, but with Ali getting older he lost the title to Leon Spinks in 1978. Seven months later, Ali had a rematch against Spinks and defeated him in a fifteen round bout. Muhammad Ali was the first professional boxer to earn the world heavyweight title three times in one career. Muhammad decided to retire at the age of thirty-nine in 1981 and officially hung up the boxing gloves for good. Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984, probably due to the head trauma he suffered during his boxing career. Due to the disease, his health started to decrease and he could barely talk anymore. He did not let that get in the way of his life, so he still traveled and made charitable appearances. In 1990, Muhammad met with Saddam Hussein, Iraqi leader, to talk about releasing American hostages. He was also inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame that same year. During the 1996 Summer Olympics, Muhammad had the privilege to light the cauldron at the opening