So, without further adieu, here are 17 reasons why Muhammad Ali will ALWAYS be remembered as the the greatest of all time.
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1. He only started boxing so that he could get his stolen bike back.
A 12-year-old Cassius Clay was shaken up when he realized his bike was stolen after a trip to the Louisville Home Show. A stranger urged him to speak to local police officer Joe Martin who was sparring at the nearby Columbia Gym. The rest is history.
2. He was predicted to be a future world champion after winning just one fight.
An awkward Cassius defeated fellow novice Ronny O'Keefe on the popular boxing program Tomorrow's Champions. After the win, his father famously proclaimed that "My son is going to be another Joe Louis. The World Heavyweight Champion, Cassius Clay!”
3. He won a Gold Medal when he was just 18-years-old.
Ali whizzed through the competition at the 1960 Olympic Games, defeating the previous Games' bronze medalist Zbigniew Pietrzykowski in the final. He then claims to have thrown his gold medal in the Ohio River.
4. He defeated Sonny Liston in and out of the ring.
A young, smooth-talking Clay earned himself a shot at the title by calling out Sonny Liston in public. When the fight came, Clay was deemed a major underdog. But with his speed, agility and boxing smarts, Clay won the title bout.
5. He joined the Nation Of Islam and changed his name right after winning the title.
Ali always stood by his own belief system, no matter what others thought. No moment proves this more than when he changed his name in 1964, saying that Cassius Clay was slave name. Muhammad Ali was born.
6. He refused to go to war, even though it cost him the belt.
Ali refused to go off to Vietnam stating “Man, I ain’t got no quarrel with them Vietcong.” He was stripped of his championship belt and suspended from the sport for the next three years.
7. He used his boxing hiatus to promote Black pride and to advocate against war.
Rather than sulk, Ali saw his suspension as an opportunity to promote justice and equality. He travelled to multiple colleges and universities to speak about African American pride and the issues with war.
8. His anti-war beliefs actually influenced Martin Luther King Jr.
King was initially reluctant to address the Vietnam War mainly because he didn't want to alienate the Johnson Administration and its support of the civil rights agenda. However, as he watched a confident Ali stick to his beliefs, King began to voice his opinion.
9. He demonstrated true determination and won his title back in at the Rumble In The Jungle.
Ali was given another shot at the title in 1974 against George Foreman. Ali was a serious underdog and many had labelled him as a has-been. But in eight rounds, Ali had knocked Foreman out and reclaimed his title in front of 50 000 fans.
10. He put it all on the line at the Thrilla In Manilla.
There was no better Muhammad Ali rival than Smokin' Joe Frazier. After two heated bouts, the two met in a third event that has gone down as one of the greatest fights EVER.
11. He lit the Olympic Flame at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.
An older Ali struggled with Parkinson's Disease, but as billions of fans worldwide watched, the Champ lit the torch with ease. He was also re-presented with an Olympic Gold Medal that year to replace the one he lost in 1960.
12. Throughout his career, he defeated every top Heavyweight of his era.
This is quite the feat when you consider the fact that this time in history is often referred to as the golden age of heavyweight boxing.
13. He was voted the Sports Personality Of The Century.
This happened nearly 16 years ago, and it's STILL hard to think of anyone who comes close to Ali.
14. His name is on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
However, his star is the only one in history to be mounted on a vertical surface. Why? Because he requested that nobody ever step on his name.
15. He was named a Messenger Of Peace by the United Nations in 2002.
He even travelled to such places as Kabul for goodwill missions upon the United Nations' request. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal Of Freedom in 2005.
16. Throughout his entire career, he never refused giving an autograph.
A young Cassius Clay once asked his hero Sugar Ray Robinson for an autograph. When Robinson rudely rejected him, Clay vowed that if he ever became famous he would never turn down a fan. In fact, he even had a special P.O. box for anyone who wanted his autograph.
17. He never settled for anything other than greatness.
Throughout his entire life, Ali inspired the world with his determination, kindness and refusal to accept anything less than greatness. He is a figher who never quit and is a constant reminder that impossible is nothing.
Rest in peace Champ.
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