Muhammad Ali: 1942-2016

Dubai: Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, Muhammad Ali is one of sport’s true icons.

Named after his father Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr. who in turn was named after the 19^th Century abolitionist, Clay was a direct descendent of pre-Civil War slavery. His rise to global stardom coincided with the African-American Civil Rights Movement and became a symbol of inspiration and achievement for America’s black community.

Ali was 12 years old when he first donned a pair of boxing gloves, and it would start a 10-year journey that would lead him to his first title.

Ali was considered a contender for Sonny Liston’s world heavyweight title in 1963 and the bout was arranged for late February 1964. Clay was the underdog, on account of Liston’s dominating knock-out performance over former champion Floyd Patterson.

Liston’s criminal record did not register an issue with Ali, as he taunted and jibed him during the pre-match build-up, mockingly calling him the “big ugly bear.” Most corners of the press admired his spirit, but didn’t think he would mount a serious challenge, passing his bluster off as fear.

The mind-games clearly affected Liston and he came at Ali guns blazing in the opening round. Ali controlled it, opening up his attacking game towards the end of the first. Liston was clearly on the back foot.

After the fourth round, Ali complained of pain around his eyes and that he was unable to see. It was believed that it was caused by cream used to seal cuts on Liston. However, even visually impaired, he continued to attack, so much so that Liston was unable to start the seventh round. Ali was given the win by technical knock-out – a legend was born.

It was soon after his fight with Liston that Ali took up active participation with Islam, after having attended meetings with the Nation of Islam as early as 1959. However it wouldn’t be until 1975 until he fully converted.

To Ali, dropping his birth name, Cassius Clay, was symbolic beyond religion. He once famously said: “Cassisu Clay is my slave name”, referring to his slavery ancestry.

At the time Ali’s conversion to Islam was viewed as controversial, with only a handful of journalists accepting his change of name. Large corners of America’s predominantly white population, as well as some African-American communities, believed the Nation of Islam to be “hate religion” who used violence as a way of conveying their message. This was a time when racism in America was commonly mainstream.

Ali was vehemently opposed to the Vietnam War and refused to serve in the US Army. In a press conference explaining his opposition he famously said: “My enemy is the white people, not the Vietcong."

His comments caused outrage, and the outrage grew even further when he spoke divisively about racial integration, saying “We who follow the teachings of Elijah Muhammad [Head of the Nation of Islam at the time] don't want to be forced to integrate. Integration is wrong. We don't want to live with the white man."

After Ali’s refusal to serve in the US Army, and in response to his controversial comments, his boxing license was suspended and we has sentenced to five years in prison – which was later rescinded on appeal.

Between 1967 and 1970, every state had denied Ali a license, but as the Vietnam continued to rage, public sentiment began to shift and more and more people became sympathetic to Ali’s cause. Unable to fight, Ali toured the US speaking of his opposition to the war as well as advocating African-American racial justice.

In 1971, the US Supreme Court overturned the conviction and Ali was able to fight once more.

The first major comeback was against Joe Frazier, billed as the “Fight of the Century.” Both men were undefeated but Ali was keen to ensure only he would remain that way. He goaded Frazier relentlessly in the build-up, branding him a “dumb tool of the white establishment.”

Frazier went on to win after knocking Ali down in the 14^th. Revenge came three years later.

In 1974, Ali faced George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle”. Ali was given little chance against the indomitable Foreman and some commentators even feared for his life.

He spent the best part of the first eight rounds leaning back on the ropes, soaking up the punches of his younger and larger opponent.

It was a tactic he called "rope-a-dope", and at the end of the eighth round he sprang out from the ropes and sent Foreman sprawling to the canvas.

In doing so, Ali had become only the second man in history to regain the world heavyweight title.

He lost the title to Leon Spinks in 1978, before winning it back again eight months later, then aged 36.

However the decline had begun. Rumours of a faded fortune surrounded Ali as he faced off against Larry Holmes in 1980, which he would go on to lose, before losing once more in his final fight to Trevor Berbick in 1981.

By this point, Ali’s health was widely being questioned. His speech was occasionally slurred was notably slower when he walked.

In 1984 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which it was suspected was caused by repetitive trauma to the head.

He didn’t let the disease end him straight away, continuing to travel the world and was celebrated wherever he went.

Muhammad Ali's record as a boxer remains impressive. In a professional career that spanned 21 years, he won 56 fights, 37 by way of knockout, and only lost five.

However he was much more than just another top athlete; he was a great showman whose off-the-cuff quips are worthy of a book of their own.

His high profile gave his advocacy of civil rights additional weight and he was a hero to large numbers of black people around the world.

Muhammad Ali: 1942-2016