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MuhammadAli
is one of
the legends in the sport
of professional boxing,
earning himself the
nickname “The Legend”.
His 6 feet 3 inches height
made himan imposing
figure in the ring and he
was known for his fancy,
quick footwork and
powerful jab. Here are
some facts about theman
for a knock-out punch.
The
Greatest
•
Born to CassiusMarcellus Clay, Sr andOdessa O’Grady, Clay
CassiusMarcellus Clay, Jr was the eldest of the two boys.
His father was a painter of billboards and signswhile his
mother was a household domestic helper.
•
Cassius Clay became a boxer because his bikewas stolen
fromoutside the Columbia Auditorium in 1954. Lividwith
anger, he found a policeman and told himhewanted to
“whup” whoever was responsible.The policeman, Joe
Martin, was also a boxing trainer and took Clay under his
wing.
•
Martin served as his early coach, teaching him the
technicalities involved in the game. In the last four years of
his amateur career, hewas trained by Chuck Bodak.
•
He practised his speed by dodging rocks that were thrown
at himby his younger brother.
•
Claywas a singer and actor aswell. He released an album,
I AmThe Greatest
, in 1963, and the album included a cover
of Ben E. King’s
Stand ByMe
, sung by Ali himself. He also
starred in a short-lived Broadwaymusical.
•
In 1964, he changed his name fromCassiusMarcellus Clay to
Muhammad Ali, after adopting the religion of Islam.
•
Ali was terrified of flying. When he flew to Europe for the
1960Olympics that were held in Rome, he insisted on
wearing a parachute in the plane.
•
Hewas stripped of his Heavyweight Champion title for
refusing to fight in the VietnamWar. His boxing licensewas
suspended and hewas sentenced to three and a half years
in prison, alongwith a fine.