Here's a look back at some interesting trivia, quotes and video of the 'G.O.A.T' that has led to making the legendary fighter Muhammad Ali as one of the greatest pop icons in the world
Muhammad Ali (1942-2016): Remembering the legend through trivia, quotes and more...
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali passed away at age 74, 3 years ago on this day. The legendary boxer died in June last year Here's a look back at some interesting trivia, quotes and video of the 'G.O.A.T' that has led to making the legendary fighter one of the greatest pop icons in the world.
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TRIVIA
Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. on January 17, 1942.
He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, which provided the basis for one of his early nicknames, 'The Louisville Lip.'
At the age of 11 Clay joined a boxing club run by a police officer after he complained about a stolen bike to the police officer (Joe Martin) in question and said he wanted to find the thief and 'whip' him. The cop told him he better learn to fight first.
He won the Olympic Gold at the 1960 games in Rome at light heavyweight on September 5, 1960 at 18 years old. He subsequently tossed the medal into a river upon returning home and facing racism.
He was married four times (Sonji Roi August 1964-January-1966; Belinda Boyd August 1967-1977; Veronica Porsche 1977-1986; Yolanda Ali November 1986-Current).
He has 7 daughters and 2 sons (3 daughters and a son with Sonji Roi, two daughters, including Laila Ali, with Veronica Porsche; 1 son (adopted) with Yolanda Ali; 2 daughters from other relationships).
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Ali beat Foreman in 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire in the 'Rumble in the Jungle'
On October 29th, 1960, Clay made his professional debut against Tunney Hunsaker and won a six round decision.
His nicknames: The Greatest, The Louisville Lip, G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time), The Champ
Three movies have been made about his life: “The Greatest” in 1977; “When We Were Kings” 1996; “Ali” 2001
HIS BOXING RECORD AND SOME RECORDS:
Amateur record: 100-5
Career record: 56-5 with 37 knockouts in 61 total bouts
Last pro fight: December 11th, 1981 against Trevor Berbick
Muhammad Ali stands over the fallen Sonny Liston. Pic/Allsport Hulton/Archive
Fights known by name: 3 ( Ali vs. Joe Frazier I – “Fight of the Century”; Ali vs. George Foreman “Rumble in the Jungle” from Kinshasha, Zaire; Ali vs. Frazier III “Thrilla in Manila” from Manila, Philippines)
Youngest heavyweight champion: Defeated Sonny Liston on February 25th, 1964, to become the then youngest heavyweight champion at 22 years and 1 month old
Number of times won championship: 3 time champion. He was the first heavyweight to do so
Champions beaten: 7 (Archie Moore; Sonny Liston; Floyd Patterson; Bob Foster, Joe Frazier; George Foreman; Leon Spinks)
Ali had a way with words. Here are some of his more famous quotes
I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was. I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.
Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them—a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.
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Don’t count the days; make the days count.
If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it—then I can achieve it.
At home I am a nice guy: but I don’t want the world to know. Humble people, I’ve found, don’t get very far
Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.
A young and brash Muhammad Ali
I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'
He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.
I done wrestled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale; handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder in jail; only last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalised a brick; I'm so mean I make medicine sick.
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.
I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark.
My trainer don't tell me nothing between rounds. I don't allow him to. I fight the fight. All I want to know is did I win the round. It's too late for advice.
It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.
The crowd did not dream when they laid down their money that they would see a total eclipse of the Sonny.
The fight is won or lost far e under those lights.
A man who views the waway from witnesses—behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dancorld the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life
George Foreman vs Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier "Thrilla in Manila"
Top 10 Muhammad Ali Knockouts
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