Boxing is considered a combat sport in which two fighters throw punches at each other, trying to injure each other and win the fight. Boxing is a sport in which many different weight classes are available to compete in, which allows hundreds of athletes to compete for titles in the different weight classes. Many great boxers include George Foreman, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Joe Frazier, and Sugar Ray Robinson. One specific boxer is not mentioned, who is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. His name is Cassius Clay, better known as Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time because of his will and courage to overcome the many challenges in his life, his outstanding accomplishments throughout his career, and his work outside of boxing after his retirement.
First, Mohammad Ali is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time because of his will and courage to overcome the challenges he had to face throughout his life. Cassius Clay, also known as the great Muhammad Ali, whose name was changed because of religion purposes, was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17, 1942 (UXL Biographies). Ali, unlike many other great boxers, was not born in poverty (Biography.com). According to St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture’s “Muhammad Ali,” Ali’s father, Cassius Clay Sr., was “a frustrated artist who painted signs for a living,” and his mother, Odessa Grady Clay, “was a domestic worker,” according to A&E’s “Muhammad Ali Biography.” With both parents being able to support Muhammad Ali throughout his childhood, he was able to succeed in life. Ali picked up boxing in an unfamiliar way. At age twelve, his brand new bicycle was stolen, so he picked up boxing to try and beat up whoever stole it (History.com). This may have been a weird way to pick up boxing, but in the long run, it was worth it for the great Ali. During his teenage years, which would have been his first years actually boxing, Ali told reporters and other fighters that he could “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” (Biography.com). He said this because he knew he had quick feet and thunderous fists. Having quick feet and hard punches led to some of the success in Muhammad Ali’s career. All in all, Ali’s will to fight through some of the battles in his childhood made him into the fighter he was throughout his career.
Along with his will and courage to overcome the challenges throughout his life, Muhammad Ali’s career was nothing less than spectacular. “Known as “The Greatest,” boxer Muhammad Ali began his career as a light heavyweight gold medalist at the 1960 Olympic Games and went on to become the world heavyweight champion in 1964-67, 1974-78, and 1978-79” (UXL Biographies). Muhammad Ali became well known “for his arrogant low-gloved stance, footwork, fearsome jab, and speed in the ring” (St. James Encyclopedia). Ali’s first major accomplishment was winning the gold medal in the 1960 Olympics in the light-heavyweight division at the age of eighteen (UXL Biographies). This accomplishment would eventually lead the other heavyweight titles in the years to come. Muhammad Ali fought in many famed bouts in his time as a boxer. Ali won some major bouts against the likes of “Smokin Joe” Frazier and “The Heywood Giant” George Foreman (Remnick). The victories only proved that Ali was one of the greats. Ali also became famous for his loud public announcements, which ended up being heard by many people around the world (History.com). Muhammad Ali also became known as ‘Louisville Lip’ because he was born in Louisville, Kentucky and because he had a loud mouth (St. James Encyclopedia). After all is said and done, Muhammad Ali’s career puts him near the top of the list of the all-time greats.
Along with the challenges overcome by Ali and his outstanding career as a boxer, Ali was still very popular around the world for his works outside of boxing after his retirement. After Muhammad Ali retired, he became devoted to philanthropy, and he joined a black Muslim group called the Nation of Islam (Biography.com). Ali loved to travel around the world supporting the Special Olympics and the Make-A-Wish Foundations (Biography.com). He donated money and was devoted to both of these organizations which he supported. Muhammad Ali was awarded with a few prestigious awards after his retirement. Ali was awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 and the President’s Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 2009 (Biography.com). These awards show that Muhammad Ali has been influential to many people throughout his life all over the world. Later on in Muhammad Ali’s life, he became weaker and weaker as he aged. Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1984 at the age of 42, which is an early age to be diagnosed with such a severe disease (Biography.com). This disease took a toll on him throughout his life, which eventually became worse and worse, which led to his death on June 3, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona (UXL Biographies). Muhammad Ali was very inspirational and influential to many people across the globe, and his legacy will last for a very, very long time.
Muhammad Ali has influenced many people throughout his life. From the moment Ali first started to learn to box at the age of twelve, to his world heavyweight championship victory against Leon Spinks in 1978, Ali has had his ups and downs, but to many people, he will always be one of the greatest athletes to ever live. Ali’s career was nothing less than spectacular. People around the world will not forget Ali’s name for a long time. His involvement in different charities after his retirement will also be remembered. The will to overcome challenges throughout life, the career that will be forever remembered by boxing fans, and the works that have been done outside of boxing are all reasons why Muhammad Ali is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time.
