Muhammad Ali's Achievements

Cassius Clay Angrily Threw His Gold Medal Into the Ohio River

Cassius Marcellus Clay was an unresponsive student who graduated 376th in his high school out of a class of 391, Cassius Clay in youthful days single-mindedly dedicated himself to amateur boxing, appearing in 108 bouts between 1955 and 1960. He won six Kentucky Golden Glove titles, two National Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) championships, two National Golden Glove crowns, and the Gold Medal in the light heavyweight division in the 1960 Summer Olympic Games in Rome, Italy. On returning from Rome Olympics triumphantly to Louisville, expecting a grand welcome home charade. Bitterly disappointed at not being welcomed as an American hero in his segregated hometown. Such is the way of the American society. After being refused services at a Louisville diner party while wearing his Olympic Medal around his neck, Clay angrily threw the gold medal into the Ohio River. Muhammad Ali's professional debut as a heavyweight began in October 1960 with a six round decision over Tunny Hunsaker. Clay won his next 18 fights, 15 by knockouts. On the 25th of February 1964, in Miami Beach, Florida, Cassius Clay waged his first challenge for the world heavyweight championship crown in a match against the immovable rock, Sonny Liston.

Twice Muhammad Ali Defeated Sonny Liston

Several of the so called boxing experts thought the indomitable Sonny Liston to be unconquerable in the boxing ring. It was said of Sonny Liston: "It was said that he could drive a ten inch nail through a 2 x 4 plank of wood with his fists." What a frightening thought! The  22 year old brash kid, Cassius Clay spent the weeks leading up to the fight entertaining reporters and fans with colourfully worded promises of his impending victory. In one of the most stunning upsets in boxing history. The young 22 year old kid, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jnr, was rewarded with the World Heavyweight Boxing Crown for conquering the unconquerable to become king of the Heavyweight Kingdom of boxing. Clay delivered on his promise, defeating the indomitable big bad brown bear, Sonny Liston in the seventh round. Shortly after the fight, Cassius Clay startled the universe of the sporting world with an announcement that he had become united with the Nation of Islam and had changed his name to Muhammad Ali. In the the return Clay under the name of Muhammad Ali defended his crown by knocking out Sonny Liston. He then went on to defended his heavyweight crown in nine more matches over the next two years. His title was revoked in 1967 when, citing his Islamic faith, Muhammad Ali refused to be initiated into the United States of America Military Service.

Muhammad Ali Elevated The Language of Ridicule Into An Art Form

It is Ali, suggested Bartlett Giamatti, who brought to the surface of the actor in every athlete. A brilliant showman and provocateur, Muhammad Ali enlisted the media, especially, television as an integral part of his competitive strategies. While it was Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight champion to introduce boasting and the taunting into the boxing ring. Muhammad Ali elevated the language of ridicule into an art form. Muhammad Ali is master of the poet rhyming insult and a seminal contributor to the African American tradition. Ali transformed the pre-flight weigh-in from a procedural formality into the occasion for a display of creative verbal warfare. Muhammad Ali was every bit a showman in and out of the boxing ring. Ali was every bit, quite an exceptionally fluent and prevalent speaker and would most likely excelled in any sport or world affairs he had cared to chose as a career. Ali then can be acknowledge as the first man who invented lyrics rapping. Indeed. Ali is the first lyrics rapper dating back to the early 1960's.

Larry Holmes Dealt Ali the Worst Loss of His Career

Muhammad Ali announced his retirement from boxing on the 27th June 1979, but within a year challenged the new heavyweight champion Larry Holmes for his crown. On the 2nd October 1980, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Larry Holmes dealt Ali the worst loss of his career, physically punishing the former champion before delivering a knockout blow in the 11th round. Ali retired permanently in December 1981 after losing a ten-round decision to Trevor Berbick. Muhammad Ali's skills was a fighter with lightning quick hands, razor sharp left hand jabs and agile footwork. Though in latter part of his career he had the ability to absorb punches from bigger and stronger opponents. As important as these physical skills were to Muhammad Ali's success. What distinguished Ali as an athletic performer was his use of the boxing rings  wherever he fought in the world, it was a public performance stage act. Muhammad Ali is now in his 65th year. Larry Holmes may have given Ali his worst beaten of his boxing career, but that has not dimmed Muhammad Ali's light. Ali's battery is self rechargeable and his light is shinning brighter than ever since his retirement from the world of the pugilistic boxing arena.

Three Times Heavyweight Champion of the World

On the 30th October 1974, in Kinshasa, Zaire now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The great Ali knockout George Foreman in the eighth round. Ali defended his title ten times over the next four years. Most famously was the 15-round victory over Joe Frazier on the 1st of October 1975, in the Philippines. Then, on the 15th of February 1978, surrendered the crown to the neophyte Olympic champion Leon Spinks in a 15-round decision in Las Vegas, Nevada. Muhammad Ali regained his boxing championship title on the 15th of September 1978, prevailing in a 15-round decision over Leon Spinks in their rematch at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, becoming the only fighter in boxing history to have ever  won the heavyweight crown twice.

Muhammad Ali's Achievements