Muhammad Ali is one of the most revered figures in sports history. He was a boxer, a man of faith, and an activist. Aside from boxing, he made a positive impact on American culture and on humanity.
After retiring from professional boxing, he became an activist for racial and cultural equality. He was a champion of human rights, and he traveled the world to speak on behalf of those in need. In 2002, he went to Afghanistan to be a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
Ali’s career spanned nearly four decades. His boxing skills were unmatched, and he defended the heavyweight title eight times. Before his fights, he was known for his flashy techniques and colorful descriptions of his fights. Although he stopped fighting in the late 1960s, he still had an edge over most opponents, especially when he was past his prime.
As an activist, he advocated for racial justice, and he spoke out against the US Vietnam War. However, he was accused of draft evasion and refused to serve in the army. The court found him guilty, but his conviction was overturned in 1971. When his sentence was upheld, Ali was fined $10,000, and he was banned from the sport for a minimum of three years.
At the time of his arrest, he was the fastest heavyweight in the world. Despite his success, he was regarded as arrogant and self-important. Nevertheless, he remained a goodwill ambassador and a popular figure in the American public.
In addition to his boxing skills, he had a natural charisma. His showboating and shuffling feet were particularly enthralling to fans. He loved to challenge interviewers, and he was always willing to take a question in a humorous way.
He was a pioneering figure in the boxing industry, and he introduced many new strategies and techniques. While his most notable accomplishments were his heavyweight titles, he also introduced a level of elegance to the sport.
One of his most memorable moments was his fight with Sonny Liston in 1964. When he defeated Liston, he claimed that he was a practicing Muslim minister. This was a controversial statement, and his critics accused him of cruelty. It was a close call. In the final round, he was floored by a hard left hook.
During his life, he had four wives. He married Belinda Boyd in 1967, Veronica Porche in 1977, Sonji Roi in 1984, and Yolanda “Lonnie” in 1986. Each of his wives had a child, and he had two children outside of marriage.
Muhammad Ali was known for his colorful description of his boxing matches, and he often boasted about his skills before a bout. Ali is considered to be the greatest heavyweight of all time. Even though he retired, he continued to make frequent appearances.
Throughout his career, he was a force for social change. He was an outspoken anti-war activist and spoke on college campuses. Toward the end of his career, he was also an avid humanitarian, and he rescued hostages from Iraq in 1990.
