Muhammad Ali's Impact On Society And Culture

One of the reasons Muhammad Ali has the greatest impact on society and culture is because of his impact on boxing. As Ali became relevant in boxing, he showed everyone a new style of fighting, both inside and outside the ring. Inside the ring, Ali brought his “ballet-like grace as well as his flashy ‘Ali Shuffle,’” the way Ali moved his feet back and forth (“Muhammad Ali”). Ali also developed a technique of fighting called “Rope-a-Dope,” where he leaned up against the ropes to allow his opponent to punch him, thus wearing his opponent out as he rested (“Muhammad Ali”). Outside of the ring, Ali brought a new aspect to the sport of boxing with his confident attitude and playful trash-talking of his opponents (“Boxing”). Ali coined the nickname …show more content…
As a black Islamic male in the 1960’s, Ali had gotten people to love him even though he seemed conceited and loud-mouthed ("Muhammad Ali" Encyclopedia...). Ali would boast before each match and often predict which round he was going to knock his opponent out ("Muhammad Ali" Notable...). Ali not only bragged about his fighting but also his good looks ("Muhammad Ali" Notable...). It is said that, “Ali knew that the more publicity he achieved for each fight, the higher the final box office count” ("Muhammad Ali" Notable...). Ali was able to promote himself among the white community and create a fanbase besides the fact he was African American, thus impacting the way celebrities are viewed throughout history ("Muhammad Ali" …show more content…
Ali, the new heavyweight champion at the time, in 1964 announced that he has converted his faith from Christianity to the Nation of Islam (Lipsyte). Ali noted the change of his name from Cassius Clay, his “slave-name”, to Muhammad Ali, a name given to him by Elijah Muhammad the leader of the Nation of Islam (Banks). Ali converted to the Nation of Islam, “After hearing a lot of teachers on negro history in who [they] we before [they] got [to America]” said Ali (“Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X – Rare 1965 Interview”). Three years later in 1967, Ali was drafted into military service for the Vietnam War (“Muhammad Ali” Encyclopedia). Due to his religious beliefs, Ali refused to serve his time in the military (“Muhammad Ali” Encyclopedia). According to the passage titled “Muhammad Ali”, “The press turned against him, calling him ‘unpatriotic, loudmouthed, bombastic’” (“Muhammad Ali” Encyclopedia). Shortly after Ali was banned from boxing and stripped of his heavyweight title (“Muhammad Ali” Encyclopedia). Although it seemed the country was against Ali, he persevered and stuck with what he thought was morally right (“Muhammad Ali” Encyclopedia). Ali was sentenced five years in prison for violating the Selective Service Act but released on appeal (“Muhammad Ali” Encyclopedia). The Supreme Court overturned his conviction three years after (“Muhammad Ali”