Tuesday a Louisville legend celebrated his 70th birthday. Muhammad Ali is one of the most well-known figures in the boxing world. His monikers as The Greatest, the People’s Champion and the Louisville Lip are well earned for his skill in the ring, his relationship with his fans, and his ability to verbally beat his opponents well before entering the ring fight. An Olympic gold medalist and three-time heavyweight champion as well as a philanthropist and social activist, Ali has a special place in many of the hearts of Louisvillians and the world over.
Ali was born Cassius Clay in Louisville in 1942 and began learning to box at age 12. His amateur career was a decorated one, including six Kentucky Gold Gloves, two national titles, an Amateur Athletic Title, and winning a light heavyweight gold medal at the Rome Olympics in 1960.
After the Olympics, Clay began his professional career. He had an unorthodox style, relying on his foot speed and keeping his hands low where most heavyweights used the high hand approach. He also perfected his rope-a-dope technique, in which he would allow his opponent to get him against the ropes and pummel him. His opponent would tire himself, and then hewould strike, usually winning the match. Clay maintained a 19-0 record from 1960 to 1963. He also gained a reputation for predicting the round that he would defeat his opponent and would boast and antagonize his opponent before the match.
Cassius was tapped to face Sonny Liston for his title in 1964, but his position was put into jeopardy when rumors of his association with Malcolm X of the Nation of Islam were brought to his management (X was under investigation for suspicion of a connection with the Kennedy assassination, which was later dismissed). It was about this time that Clay had converted, and changed his name to Muhammad Ali, but it was decided not to disclose this information until after the fight. Ali would later convert to Sunni Islam in 1975 and embraced Sufism in 2005.
At the age of 22, Ali defeated Liston to become the youngest boxer to defeat a reigning champion, a record that would remain until Mike Tyson became champ in 1986 at age 21. A rematch between the in 1965 ended with Ali knocking Liston out within the first moments of the first round with a swift blow to the side of the head.
Several successful title defenses against in the following years would solidify Ali’s reputation. Trouble came for Ali in 1967 when he refused to be drafted into the army during the Vietnam War due to personal convictions against the war and was convicted of draft dodging. As a result, he was stripped of his title and his boxing license was suspended. He supported himself by going on a public speaking tour until a jury overturned the conviction in 1971.
While appealing his case, Ali was allowed to fight once again in 1970. His first return fight was a win against Oscar Bonavena. This paved the way for a title fight against the champ, Joe Frazier. On March 8, 1971 Ali and Frazier met in the Fight of the Century, which would lead to a 15 round fight in which Frazier was declared the winner; this gave Ali his first professional loss. The two met again in 1974 in which Ali won the fight, but Frazier had already lost the title to George Foreman at this point. The two met again in 1975 at the Thrilla in Manila, in which Ali was again victorious. In October of 1974 Ali faced Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle, regaining his title. He held the title until losing to Leon Spinks in Feburary in 1978, but won WBA title in a rematch in September of that year. Ali’s final fight was in 1981.
Today, Ali is still honored for his great work as an athlete and philanthropist. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1986, he has remained a beloved and active figure worldwide. In 1978 Walnut Street in Louisville was renamed Muhammad Ali Blvd in his honor. At the opening ceremonies of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Ali was honored with lighting the Olympic Flame. Several film and documentaries have been made highlighting his life and career, including Ali and When We were Kings. In 2005 the Ali Center opened in downtown Louisville. Part museum, part education center, it is another lasting part of this Louisville icon’s legacy.
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