FREE ESSAY ON THE GREATEST MUHAMMAD ALI

THE GREATEST MUHAMMAD ALI

The Greatest
Muhammad Ali is one of the best, if not the best, boxers of all time. He was an
influential leader not only inside the ring, but throughout the world. His overwhelming
confidence captured millions, bringing the sport of boxing the publicity it has always
deserved. Though many criticized his brash comments, he became a role model of children
across the nation. He frequently gave speeches in schools and ghettos throughout America.
He managed to succeed in a world that was run by whites. 
Born January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, Cassius Clay, Jr., displayed fighting
skills early in his life when he punched his mother after she spanked him for
misbehavior. It was not until he turned 12, however, that he became interested in boxing.
He had just received a new, red bicycle for his birthday, so he and a friend rode bikes
to the fair. While he was milling around, someone stole his bike. He searched for his
bike for hours, but it was to no avail. When he started asking people on his block if
they had seen it, someone suggested he go ask Joe Martin, a policeman and owner of a
boxing gym. Cassius was awestruck the moment he walked into the gym. Joe gave him an
application and Cassius joined the gym the following day. Though he had not found his
bike, he did find his future.
Cassius trained constantly. He worked out after school every day, and he trained with
Fred Stoner after supper from eight until midnight. Finally, his hard work was starting
to pay off. In 1956 he won the Kentucky Golden Gloves tournament. Then, in 1958, he won
the Louisville Golden Gloves light-heavyweight crown. He went on to win the National
Golden Gloves light-heavyweight title in Chicago. Cassius really showed his skills in
1960 by winning the Golden Gloves title in Madison Square Garden as well as the
Tournament of Champions in Chicago. Throughout his amateur career, Cassius had fought in
130 fights and won all but seven. As his wins increased, so did his boasting. He bragged
that he was going to win the gold metal in the 1960 summer Olympics before even stepping
on the plane. When he returned home with the gold metal around his neck, however, he
still was not even allowed to order a cheeseburger from a fast food restaurant. This
upset him so much that he ran to a nearby river and threw his metal into the swift
current.
Cassius was now ready to turn pro. He brought attention to himself by bragging about his
boxing abilities as much as possible. He also predicted the round in which he would
defeat his opponents. The arrogant poems quickly followed. Unbeaten, he felt he could
face Sonny Liston, the Heavyweight Champion of the world. After being pummeled for six
straight rounds, Liston could not get off his stool to fight the seventh round. Cassius
Clay was now the Heavyweight Champion! 
In 1963, a few weeks after his fight with Liston, Cassius announced that he was a member
of the Muslim faith and had changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Ironically, the name means
the one who is worthy of praise. Many people were upset at this because they thought the
Muslims were violent racists. Ali told reporters that Islam is a religion of peace and
love. All I want is peace. 
Ali was drafted into the army in 1967. He refused to serve in the army, as killing and
bearing weapons were against his religious principles. After being found guilty of draft
dodging, the World Boxing Association (WBA)stripped him of his championship title and
boxing license. His lawyers made an appeal, and this time the court confirmed his beliefs
were sincere. His license was returned as well as his title. He soon lost his title,
however, in 1971 in a 15 round match against Joe Frazier. Many people thought Ali should
have retired after the loss, but he refused to quit. He only ran and trained harder and
longer. This helped him to overcome the odds and regain his title in 1974 by knocking out
George Foreman in the eighth round. Again, people believed Ali should have retired a
champion, but he kept on fighting....and winning! Writers that year voted him the third
greatest athlete from 1900-1977, next to Jim Thorpe and Babe Ruth.
In 1978 Ali lost his title in a 15 round fight versus Leon Spinks. After a long and
grueling seven months of training, Ali won back the championship title in a rematch.
Finally, in 1979, Ali wrote a letter to the WBA saying that he was going to retire and
give up his heavyweight title. Despite his logic, Ali just could not stay away from
boxing. He decided to box against Larry Holmes in 1980. Though he trained hard, the 38
year old, three time heavyweight champion was no match for Holmes.
In 1984, Ali went to a medical center in New York with complaints of slurred speech and
poor hand-eye coordination. Doctors discovered Ali had been suffering from a disease
known as Parkinson's syndrome. The disease slurs speech, slows movement, and can cause
sudden fatigue. The cause of the syndrome has been linked to the suffering of too many
blows to Ali's head, particularly in the fights against Frazier, Norton, and Holmes. He
now spends his time with his wife and children, as well as supporting various charity
events.
Bibliography
Works Cited
Muhammad Ali. By John Stravinsky. Copyright 1997. Random House Value Publishing, Inc. 201
East 50th Street. New York, New York.
Muhammad Ali: The Greatest. By Jim Spence. Copyright 1995. The Rourke Press, Inc. Vero
Beach, Florida.
Encyclopedia of American Biography. Edited by John A. Garraty and Jerome L. Sternstein.
Ali, Muhammad, pg. 29-30, Harvard Sitkoff.
Muhammad Ali: The Fight for Respect. Thomas Conklin. Copyright 1992. Millbrook Press.
Brookfield, Connecticut.
Champions Forever. Film. 115 min. 1996 American Home Entertainment.