Muhammad Ali Biography: Muhammad Ali was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17, 1942 as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. He was named after his father, Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr., and was one of six children. His mother, Odessa O’Grady Clay, stayed at home to raise Cassius and his younger sibling while his father painted billboards. Throughout his time at Central High School in Louisville, he labored with a learning disorder. Cassius, who grew up in a time of racial segregation, witnessed numerous instances of racial injustice and prejudice, such as being denied water at a store. The murder of Emmett Till in 1955 deeply affected him, and he and a companion vandalized a local railyard as a form of protest.
Muhammad Iqbal Biography: Birthday, Early Life, Education, Career, Personal Life, Death Anniversary
Muhammad Ali Net Worth
Muhammad Ali Biography: At the time of his demise, retired American boxer Muhammad Ali had a net worth of $50 million. Muhammad was one of the highest-paid athletes in the world during his heyday. On June 4, 2016, he passed away at the age of 74.
The first boxer to win $1 million for a fight was Gene Tunney in 1927 for his rematch against Jack Dempsey. Ali did receive $2.5 million to fight Joe Frazier in 1971. This is equivalent to $15 million today. In 1974, he earned $5.45 million by fighting George Foreman. This is equivalent to $26 million today. Ali’s greatest career earnings occurred in 1980, when he earned $7.9 million to fight Larry Holmes. Interestingly, after adjusting for inflation, $7.9 million in 1980 is equivalent to $22 million today, making Ali’s 1974 paycheck of $5.45 million the largest of his career.
Ali reportedly sold his name and image rights for $50 million in 2006. As part of the agreement, Ali retained a 20% stake in his licensing. This 20% stake has generated annual revenue of $7 million.
Muhammad Ali Career
Ali became interested in boxing at age 12 after his bicycle was stolen and he became enraged at the site of the crime. The officer on the scene observed Clay’s rage and suggested he channel it into boxing. Together, Cassius and boxing coach Fred Stoner won numerous championships, including six Kentucky Golden Gloves, an Amateur Athletic Junior Championship, and two National Golden Gloves. In 1954, he made his debut with a victory over local boxer Ronnie O’Keefe. Chuck Bodak coached him during the final four years of his amateur career. His greatest amateur accomplishment was capturing the light heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. His amateur record was 100 victories and five defeats.
Muhammad Ali Boxing Career
Muhammad Ali Biography: Clay returned to Louisville after the Olympics and began his professional career there. On October 29, 1960, he made his victorious debut, and he remained unbeaten for three consecutive years. 15 of the 19 bouts concluded with knockouts. This was due to Clay’s unconventional boxing technique. Clay utilized his quickness to avoid punches and kept his hands low, whereas boxers of his height and build typically kept their hands elevated to defend the face. Clay soon began to establish his reputation.
Seven times, he accurately predicted the round in which his opponent would be knocked out. Moreover, he began taunting his opponents prior to each match. Soon after, Cassius became the leading contender to challenge title-holder Sonny Liston. Even though Clay had an incredible record, he entered the match as the underdog. Clay ultimately defeated Liston, and at the age of twenty-two, he became the youngest fighter to ever take the heavyweight championship from its holder.
Cassius changed his identity to Muhammad Ali after joining the Nation of Islam in 1964. He refused to serve in the military in 1966, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War. Ali was arrested and convicted of evading the conscription. The decision to deprive him of his boxing titles was appealed to the Supreme Court. In 1971, his conviction was overturned, but he had been out of the ring for four years and had lost his athletic apex and prime. Ali’s refusal to be conscripted was lauded and supported by Civil Rights activists, with Al Sharpton praising Ali’s courage and movement-energizing influence. Ralph Abernathy, a civil rights icon, presented him with the Martin Luther King Award in 1970. In a speech at the ceremony, Coretta Scott King stated that Ali was a “champion of justice, peace, and unity.”
Later that same year, on March 8 at Madison Square Garden, Muhammad Ali fought heavyweight champion Joe Frazier in a bout heralded as the fight of the century. The fight lived up to its moniker, as the two unbeaten combatants engaged in a 15-round battle. In the end, Frazier would prevail, handing Ali his first career defeat. Ali and Frazier would battle twice more. Frazier had already lost his title to George Foreman, so their next match did not involve a championship bout. This time, Ali defeated Frazier, setting up a bout with Foreman. Ali and Foreman’s fight was known as “The Rumble in the Jungle” because it took place in Kinshasa, Zaire.
Ali entered the fight as the underdog and once again shocked the world when he defeated Foreman in 1981 to regain the heavyweight title. His trash-talking and spoken-word poetry in the ring approximated hip-hop and rap. Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Syndrome in 1984. The syndrome robbed Ali of his voice and motor abilities. Despite this setback, he was very active throughout his life in the fight against Parkinson. He was granted the privilege of lighting the Olympic flame in 1996. Ali is the only lineal heavyweight champion to have won three titles. He will probably be remembered as one of the finest heavyweight champions in history.
Ali was an accomplished musician who received two Grammy nominations outside of the ring. In addition to acting and writing, he published two autobiographies. His reputation as a philanthropist and humanitarian was well-known. Muhammad Ali died of septic shock in Scottsdale, Arizona, on June 4, 2016, at the age of 74. His memorial service was attended by notable athletes and personalities and was viewed by an estimated 1 billion viewers worldwide.
Muhammad Ali Personal Facts
Muhammad Ali Biography: Ali had four marriages. In August 1964, he wed cocktail attendant Sonji Roi, and they divorced in January 1966. Ali wed Belinda Boyd in August of 1967, and the couple had four children. In 1974, at the age of 32, Ali had a clandestine affair with Wanda Bolton, then 16 years old. The couple had two children together and were married in an unrecognized Islamic ceremony. In 1977, he wed Veronica Porche, and the couple had two children. In 1986, they divorced, and Ali married Yolanda Williams, his close friend since 1964. They had a son adopted. From 1999 to 2007, one of Ali’s daughters, Laila, was a professional boxer.
