Muhammad Ali’s Toughest Fight Ali was the “Sports Personality of the Twentieth Century” named by the British Broadcasting Corporation (CBS Interactive Inc.). He was one of the greatest boxers of all time, if not the best. When commentating on Ali’s incredible boxing skills, Richard Hoffer said the boxer was “more than just lip service”(Smith 49). A general misconception is that Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease because of old age. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease of the nervous system (CBS Interactive Inc.). Symptoms may include oily skin, tremor, soft voice, stiff limbs, and blinking rarely (Goldman 23). Most commonly this disease is gained from aging, but one can be diagnosed with Parkinson’s from other causes. In fact,
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He was affected by the disease quickly after he was diagnosed. In addition he started having many symptoms. Such as the Olympic games in Atlanta, when lighting the torch his hand was shaking due to Parkinson’s (CBS Interactive Inc.). Every day he would face symptoms like frequent falls and slow movement. He looked very frail and confused all the time (Down 98). Ali suffered from Parkinson’s disease for thirty three years from the date he was diagnosed. In fact, he was diagnosed with the disease in 1984 approximately three years after he retired (Down 92). Ali’s future wife, Lonnie Ali said “he never felt bad for himself”’ (CBS Interactive). “He never asked why me, I learn from him each day from his courage, and his strength from his illness,”she …show more content…
Young Cassius Clay won the Olympics in Rome when he was eighteen (Smith 33). Ali soon went on to win World Heavyweight Champion of the World. Not to forget the “Thrilla in Manilla” maybe one of the best fights of all time, and Ali beat “Smokin Joe Frazier” (Smith 104). As well as the most expensive fight against lightweight champion of the world Bob Foster who Ali beat easily. Next in a rematch with Sonny Liston, he knocked Liston out; after the knockout Ali yelled get up creating one of the best pictures ever taken. No matter who Ali fought, he would win nine times out of ten; it was rare to see Ali had lost. Thereafter his career Ali was named by Sports Illustrated “Most Recognized athlete of the Century” (Burgan 59). Without a doubt the best award Ali has received was in 2005. President George W. Bush awarded Ali the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest Medal of Freedom (59).
Obviously, Ali had to be very motivated to go so far in his career. This all started when a student named Clark would bully him in high school (Burgan 5). He was intimidated by Clark when he would lift cars. Ali then called out the bully saying that he would beat him in the ring, so they got together and fought for the nickname “King of the Street”. Ali and Clark boxed; it was over in the second round. The bully said words under his breath and said this is unfair and walked out. After that
He was affected by the disease quickly after he was diagnosed. In addition he started having many symptoms. Such as the Olympic games in Atlanta, when lighting the torch his hand was shaking due to Parkinson’s (CBS Interactive Inc.). Every day he would face symptoms like frequent falls and slow movement. He looked very frail and confused all the time (Down 98). Ali suffered from Parkinson’s disease for thirty three years from the date he was diagnosed. In fact, he was diagnosed with the disease in 1984 approximately three years after he retired (Down 92). Ali’s future wife, Lonnie Ali said “he never felt bad for himself”’ (CBS Interactive). “He never asked why me, I learn from him each day from his courage, and his strength from his illness,”she …show more content…
Young Cassius Clay won the Olympics in Rome when he was eighteen (Smith 33). Ali soon went on to win World Heavyweight Champion of the World. Not to forget the “Thrilla in Manilla” maybe one of the best fights of all time, and Ali beat “Smokin Joe Frazier” (Smith 104). As well as the most expensive fight against lightweight champion of the world Bob Foster who Ali beat easily. Next in a rematch with Sonny Liston, he knocked Liston out; after the knockout Ali yelled get up creating one of the best pictures ever taken. No matter who Ali fought, he would win nine times out of ten; it was rare to see Ali had lost. Thereafter his career Ali was named by Sports Illustrated “Most Recognized athlete of the Century” (Burgan 59). Without a doubt the best award Ali has received was in 2005. President George W. Bush awarded Ali the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest Medal of Freedom (59).
Obviously, Ali had to be very motivated to go so far in his career. This all started when a student named Clark would bully him in high school (Burgan 5). He was intimidated by Clark when he would lift cars. Ali then called out the bully saying that he would beat him in the ring, so they got together and fought for the nickname “King of the Street”. Ali and Clark boxed; it was over in the second round. The bully said words under his breath and said this is unfair and walked out. After that