America lost another icon, arguably the greatest heavyweight boxer in pugilistic history, perhaps the most recognizable person ever born to planet Earth. Let’s take a fun look back at the legend that was Muhammad Ali.
Cassius Clay was born in Louisville, KY in 1942, boxing at the age of 12, winning three world titles, being arrested for refusing to fight an immoral war, and bravely battling Parkinson’s for over 30 years. In the midst of his legal fight (one that the Supreme Court would eventually settle in 1971) Cassius embraced the Muslim religion, changing his name to Muhammad Ali.
At the age of 12 on the streets of Louisville, Cassius Clay had his red and white Schwinn stolen. The young boy reported it to the police where the captain on duty suggested that the young man take up boxing in order to protect himself and his property. It’s not that far fetched to think, that had a boys bike not been stolen, we wouldn’t have had the greatest boxer that ever lived.
Did you know that the gloves Ali wore in the Liston fight, earning his first title, were sold for more than what he earned in winning the fight? The gloves went for nearly $840,000 dollars in an auction.
Muhammad Ali won the light heavyweight Gold medal in the 1960 Olympics, but claims to have thrown it into the Ohio River out of frustration regarding the continued racism he witnessed upon his return as an Olympic hero. The story is somewhat disputed as there are those that say Ali simply lost the medal. Years later, Ali would light the opening games torch for the 1996 ceremonies. The US committee would restore the medal to him.
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