...Muhammad Ali: World Champion and Role Model World renown Muhammad Ali is known for his many championship titles in boxing along with his professional record of 56-5-0. While in the ring, he would always follow his motto “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” (“Muhammad Ali” 1). Muhammad Ali was motivated to fight by a police officer one day and he had no idea that that decision to begin fighting would dramatically change his future. Through determination Muhammad Ali became a world famous boxer and changed how the sport is played today. After his retirement he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which led him to want to help other people with that disease and proceed with other humanitarian work. Being a world famous boxer, Muhammad Ali influenced many children with his unique fighting styles and how others now perceived the sport. Students of boxing would look back at his fights and notice that he “brought beauty and grace to the most uncompromising of sports” (Knauer 29). People getting into the sport of boxing look up to him as a role model trying to mimic his styles and copying his capability to “sway back” (Knauer 27), which was “a tactic that appalled to experts.” He mastered a skill that was very hard to do and put his own little spin on it. According to Kelly Knauer, he also was known for his extraordinary excess of skill and character (29). Muhammad Ali didn’t just leave behind his styles but it was his character that helped him become what he is...
Words: 856 - Pages: 4
...When you hear the name Ali most people only think of a great boxer, but Muhammad Ali was much more then a boxer he was an inspiration to many americans living in poverty. American soldiers fighting over seas were given strength by this amazing fighter. Muhammad Ali is an unsung heroes in american history. Muhammad Ali was born January 17,1942 (may have been conceived in May 1941) under the name Cassius Marcellus Clay jr. in Louisville, Kentucky. Ali was born to Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr. and Odessa Grady Clay. Ali changed his name after he converted to Muslim in 1975. Ali's road to greatness started when he was 12 years old. When a red and white Schwinn bicycle was stolen, a distraught Ali went to a police station to report the theft. Young Ali reported the theft to police officer Joe Martin, while Ali was telling the officer what happened he said the phrase that would start his career " when I find the person that stole my bike Im going to pummel them". Officer martin ( boxing trainer) told the young man that he needed to train before he started to challenge any one. Officer Martin took Ali under his wing and began to train him. This was the first step on the long road to being a world heavy weight champion and Olympic gold medal.Young Ali trained hard and dedicated all his time to learning as much as he could about the art of boxing. Four weeks later (1954) Ali won his first match by a split...
Words: 261 - Pages: 2
...What kind of man does it take to achieve greatness? A man that inspires people through his work in the boxing ring, as well as in his personal life. We meet a man who, throughout his life has done both all the way up to this very day. He has inspired people to fight for what they believe and to have confidence to be whoever you want. Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest boxers of all time and an influential leader throughout his entire life. Cassius Clay was born January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. While Cassius was a young he experienced racial prejudice and discrimination. At the age of 12, young Cassius and a friend were at the local fair when the two noticed Cassius bike was stolen, which led him to his boxing career. It was more of a twist of fate that brought Cassius Clay to boxing. According to Muhammad Ali (2013). Cassius ran to Joe Martin who was a police officer and also trained boxers at the local gym. When Joe heard that Cassius wanted to beat the thief up Joe Martin replied “Well you better learn how to fight, before you start challenging people” Muhammad Ali (2013). Joe Martin took Cassius under his wing and worked with Cassius on his boxing skills. Cassius went on to win his first Amateur fight in 1954 from a split decision. Cassius then won the Golden Gloves Tournament for novices in 1956 as well as jumping through ranks and winning the National Golden Gloves three years later. Cassius was quick and had a powerful jab that caught his opponents of guard...
Words: 1034 - Pages: 5
...Muhammad Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay) was born 17 January 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky to parents of modest circumstances. He started boxing in junior high, when he learned boxing from a policeman at a local gym. By the time that Ali had reached high school, he already intended to be a prizefighter and hoped to box in the Olympics. As an amateur boxer, Ali attracted notice in 1960 by winning the Amateur Athletic Union light heavyweight and Golden Gloves heavyweight championships. At the Rome Olympics in 1960, Ali crushed his opponents to win a gold medal in the light heavyweight division. After turning pro, Ali defeated his first opponents. Then on 25 February 1964, he fought, and knocked out, Sonny Liston in seven rounds, thus becoming the new heavyweight world champion. Ali defended his title nine times from 1965 to 1967 and became universally recognized as world heavyweight champion after outpointing World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Ernie Terrell in fifteen rounds on 6 February 1967. Ali often proclaimed his invincibility in verse and boasted, "I am the greatest!" Soon after becoming heavyweight champion, Ali decided to change his religion and joined the Nation of Islam (Black Muslims), taking the Muslim name "Muhammad Ali." The Vietnam War then interrupted Ali's career. In 1967, he was inducted into the military, but he refused to serve, saying his religious beliefs forbade him to fight. While some Americans praised Ali for risking prison to stand up for...
Words: 720 - Pages: 3
..."The name Muhammad Ali needs no introduction in the sports industry. This man is a living legend. Ali has accomplished my achievements during an era when African-Americas weren’t allowed any opportunities. The career of Cassius Clay began at the age of twelve. After his brand new bike had been stolen at the Louisville Home Show. He wanted to “whoop” the thieves so badly that he began to take boxing lessons. His first victory was a three round, three-minute split decision match. As he became more dedicated to boxing, Clay advanced to winning six Kentucky Golden Gloves Championships, two National Golden Glove tournaments and two National AAU titles. He won a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. The career highlight for Cassius Clay was being titled heavyweight champion after his defeating Sonny Liston. Ali contributes to variety of charities and services. “ I am devoting much of his life today healing the human spirit. My chosen path for doing this is my religion. “ quoted Muhammad. He is creating the Muhammad Ali center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The ultimate goal of the Muhammad Ali center is to inspire everyone everywhere to be the best they can be. It has been a dream of Ali to create a place to share, teach and inspire people to be their best and pursue their dreams. He also lends his name and presence to hunger and poverty relief and supporting education efforts of all kinds. In addition, he promotes adoption and encouraging people to love one another...
Words: 404 - Pages: 2
...Muhammad Ali born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer. From early in his career, Ali was known as an inspiring, controversial and polarizing figure both inside and outside the boxing ring. Clay was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and he began training when he was 12 years old. At 22, he won the world heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston in an upset in 1964. Shortly after that, Clay converted to Islam, changed his "slave" name to Ali, and gave a message of racial pride for African Americans and resistance to white domination. In 1966, two years after winning the heavyweight title, Ali further antagonized the white establishment by refusing to be conscripted into the U.S. military, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to American involvement in the Vietnam War. He was eventually arrested and found guilty of draft evasion charges and stripped of his boxing titles, which he successfully appealed in the U.S. Supreme Court where, in 1971, his conviction was overturned. Due to this hiatus, he had not fought again for nearly four years—losing a time of peak performance as an athlete. Ali's actions as a conscientious objector to the war made him an icon for the larger counterculture generation. Ali remains the only three-time lineal world heavyweight champion; he won the title in 1964, 1974, and 1978. Between February 25, 1964, and September 19, 1964, Ali reigned as the heavyweight boxing champion. Nicknamed "The...
Words: 327 - Pages: 2
...Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali who was originally known as Cassius Clay Jr. is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist, and civil rights activist. Considered a cultural icon, Ali was both idolized as well as vilified. It would be easiest to brag about how many championships he has acquired or fights he has won throughout his career, but Ali did not become one of the more famous people in the world by just winning numerous amounts of fights. He was a daily headline, the bigger ones outside the ring. He was complicated and unpredictable, refreshing, and controversial. He was totally against racism and wanted equality for every human being. He won a gold medal for the United States in the 1960 Rome Olympics and proudly stood on the victory stand. Later, he reportedly threw the medal into the Ohio River after not being allowed to eat in a whites-only restaurant. Ali used the heavyweight championship tile as a weapon against the social and economic injustices of his time. He became the most recognized American on the globe, his words to dictators freed hostages where military force and political authority failed and he still took the time to play with kids on the street when he came to their neighborhoods whether it was in Detroit or Zaire. He fought evil and injustice with all the tools God gave him, harder and in a bigger arena than he ever did as a boxer. Ali paid a huge cost for his beliefs without thought to his personal gain, and proved Hemingway right, "a man can...
Words: 575 - Pages: 3
...During his amazing life, boxing great Muhammad Ali made a huge impact when it came to defending the anti-war movement, the African-American community's rights and his own athletic ability with his quick-talking, immodest charm. In the last years of Ali's life, Parkinson's disease started to ravage more of his mind and body. The diagnosis of Parkinson's would prove to be the biggest fight of Ali's life. He became an advocacy for Parkinson's and tirelessly worked to raise awareness and research money for this disease, a condition that affects approximately one million Americans each year. His most inspirational public moment was made at the 1996 Olympics when he raised his trembling arm to light the torch. Behind the scenes, Ali and his wife...
Words: 332 - Pages: 2
...In 1964, Muhammad Ali, one of America’s most polarizing and famous athletes for his boxing career, was being drafted to the military. Ali fizzled the U.S. Military qualifying test in light of the fact that his written work and spelling aptitudes were below the national standard. Because of the immediate coming of the Vietnam War, the test norms were brought down in November 1965 thus Ali was named eligible, which implied he was currently qualified for the draft and actuation into the military (Cassius Marsellus CLAY, Jr.). At the point when advised of this status, he announced that he would decline to serve in the U.S. Armed force and openly viewed himself as an outspoken opponent (Bingham). Ali expressed that War is against the teachings...
Words: 966 - Pages: 4
...name that has definitely transcended the world is, Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali is known to the world as an Olympian, activist and professional boxer. It is very apparent that he was one of the most well-known and respected sports figures of the 20th century. He was born in raised in a town called Louisville, Kentucky. He became fascinated with the sport of boxing and decided to pursue at the age of 12. His amateur began in the year of 1954. He fought another town local by the name of Ronnie O’Keefe. Once his first win was declared, he won six Kentucky Golden Gloves titles, two national Golden Gloves titles, an Amateur Athletic Union national title, which all lead his to win then Lightweight gold medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. Muhammad Ali was faced with one of the...
Words: 559 - Pages: 3
...MUHAMMAD ALI JINNAH Born in Karachi to a Gujurati family, Pakistan’s founder was among the first students of a Muslim school in Bombay which was also attended by the renown Quran translator Abudllah Yusuf Ali. Jinnah also attended the school Sind Madrassat-ul-Islam in his native Karachi. From a young age, his aspirations were clearly Islamic. When he was sent to study law in England, he chose the law school the Lincoln Inn in London because it considered Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, as one of the greatest law givers of the world. He became the youngest graduate at his school, completing his law degree at 18. Later, after returning to India and establishing a successful law practice, he joined the Indian National Congress and its movement to free India from British colonial rule. However, he became disenchanted with the party when Mohandas Gandhi, its leader, began brining Hindu religious language and symbolism into the movement. Jinnah felt this disempowered Muslims and slowed down the cause of freedom. In response, he quit the Congress and returned to England. The Muslim poet-philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal coaxed him back to India, inspiring him with the idea of Pakistan and the need to fight for the rights of Indian Muslims, who were not fairly represented in the Hindu-majority country, particularly in the areas of politics and employment. Jinnah rose to become president of the Muslim League and leader of the movement for Pakistan. His entry into...
Words: 1659 - Pages: 7
...Helping the poor, Determined, Civil Rights Activist are three words that people think of in connection to Muhammad Ali. Many people know that Muhammad Ali was a boxer, but he was so much more. As a boxer, Muhammad Ali showed America that through commitment and determination anyone can make a big difference, and he left a legacy as a helpful individual that speaks up for his opinion and others. Ali’s context to change all started is when he got into boxing. He got into boxing when he was twelve when he got his bike stolen. In addition, Ali came from not a rich family where they can buy whatever they want, when they want (Chaliapin, Time). Furthermore, Ali was very mad about his bike getting stolen, so he wanted to beat up the thief. Ali found...
Words: 1145 - Pages: 5
...The person I will be choosing to write about is Muhammad Ali. I chose him because I am really interested in his fighting. Ali was most famous for his boxing. Muhammad Ali was also known for his public stance against the Vietnam War and his longtime battle with Parkinson's disease. In my opinion I think Ali was the best heavyweight boxer ever. Another reason I chose Ali is because my family sometimes say that I look like him. Now I will talk about how Ali became famous. Ali was born on January 17, 1942 at Louisville, KY. During Ali’s childhood he showed everyone he wasn’t scared of anything. He even started boxing early when he was a little kid with the help from a man named Martin. At the age of 12, Ali discovered his talent for boxing through...
Words: 415 - Pages: 2
...Muhammad Ali was one of the most influential people of all time. He had many influential aspects about him. A few things that influenced people around him the most were his background story, his career, and his religion. People knew him for who he was and who he became with his career and his religion. His religion was especially a benefactor to his influence on people. First, Muhammad Ali impacted society by where he came from, or his background story. In the biography “Muhammad Ali” it said “Born Cassius Clay Jr., Ali changed his name in 1964 after joining the Nation of Islam. Citing his religious beliefs, he refused military induction and was stripped of his heavyweight championship and banned from boxing for three years during the prime...
Words: 1199 - Pages: 5
... In this quote, Lebron talks about criticizing things for the better. The more criticism, the better things will turn out and the stronger you'll be as an individual. In the world there are millions of people who criticize society due to many outstanding factors like being in the social rights movement , having your right to education taken away, and living in poverty. Muhammad Ali is often referred to as GOAT, which stands for the Greatest of All Time due to his boxing achievements.(PalmBeachPost, Muhammad Ali) Ali boxed and joined the black separatist movement while citing his religion to avoid serving in the military during the Vietnam War. He was convicted of draft evasion which resulted in his boxing license being revoked and five years in prison; eventually the appeal was turned over and Ali no longer had to serve his time in prison. After boxing, Muhammad Ali dedicated most of his life to providing humanitarian aid and peace while participating in the civil rights movements. Ali criticized the system of war, the current government policies and challenged the status quo because of it; in this way Ali became an inspiration for other black people to fight for their rights and to make a change....
Words: 469 - Pages: 2
