Muhammad Ali by Alyssa Rendon

Bibliography

rendoaly000 — 2024-02-29 16:51:27 UTC

Hauser, Thomas. Muhammad Ali His Life and Times. Touchstone Book, 1991.

1. Olympic win of 1960

rendoaly000 — 2024-02-29 17:06:07 UTC

Only 3 months after high school Cassius Clay, attended the 1960 Rome Olympics. . He won His first three fights in the 178 pound division, but then faced his final opponent Zbigniew Pietrzykowski who was a three time European champion. It looked like he would lose but he didn't give up, and almost successfully knocked out his opponent making him the winner.

"At the final bell, Pietrzykowski was slumped helplessly against the ropes. There was no doubting the verdict. All the judges made clay the points winner" (24)

3. Louisville Sponsorship Group

rendoaly000 — 2024-02-29 18:12:51 UTC

The Louisville Sponsoring group was a group of eleven white men who were predominantly Millionaires. They saw that Ali was on his rise to be great, and saw a lot of money coming out of it, up to 30,000 or more. The men wanted to invest in him for various reasons Muhammad Ali signed the contract with his parents, and he received a 10,000 signing bonus. The agreements were made to be in his best favor, with a lot of conditions.

"On October 29, 1960, three days after signing the managerial contract, Clay made his professional debut in Louisville Freedom Hall before six thousand partisan fans." (31)

4. Dundee and Muhammad

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-01 07:13:23 UTC

Cassius Clay needed a new trainer, and there was no better trainer for him than Angelo Dundee. Angelo Dundee is a very highly respected person and trainer in the boxing atmosphere. Cassius and Dundee started working together on December 19, 1960 in the Miami fifth street gym. Dundee was a very important figure in his life from that point on.

'Angelo Dundee was with me from my second professional fight. And no matter what happened after that, he was always my friend....He was there when i needed him, and he always treated me with respect" (36)

5. Meeting Gorgeous George

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-01 07:26:29 UTC

When Cassius met Gorgeous George, they were doing a radio program together. Questions were asked to both of them about their fights that they are having in the same arena. George was very vocal on the fact that he is the best and he guarantees his win against his opponent. And all Cassius could think about is how much he wanted to see this fight. Gorgeous George changed how Cassius viewed his ego and how he should be marketing his fights.

"And that's when i decided i'd never been shy about talking, but if i talked even more, there was no telling how much money people would pay to see me" (39).

6. His best friend

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-01 16:50:25 UTC

Cassius Clay was always a people person. Whether it was his fans, family or friends. On April 23, 1962 he met his best friend Howard Bingham. On that day, Muhammad ran his record to no losses and 13 wins, and Howard Bingham, then a Sports illustrated photographer was there to catch the moment.

"Everybody says i love people, so it's only fair that i have a best friend in the world, and that's Howard Bingham"- Muhammad Ali (46).

"He has taken over five hundred thousand photos of Ali, and stands in contrast to the hustlers and exploiters who later invaded Ali's life." (46-47).

7. Malcolm X Controversy

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-02 06:36:28 UTC

In 1963 Cassius was reported to be at the "Black Muslim" rally in Philadelphia. He was there to listen to Elijah Muhammad's speech. After leaving training camp in 1964, he traveled to New York with Malcolm X. He attended multiple meetings overtime and this led to his father announcing that Cassius Clay joined the "Black Muslims" on February 7, 1964 His alleged joining caused a lot of conflict including his friends, family and himself getting multiple death threats from people. The only way to save the fight was for Malcolm X to leave town, and so he did with the help of Harold Conrad.

" Look the way things are right now, the fight is off. Cassius will love his chance to win the heavyweight championship, but you can save it for him.... You have to get out of town now. You're the focal point, You're the guy the press knows" - Harold Conrad to Malcolm X (66).

8. World Championship

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-02 07:11:22 UTC

On February 25th, 1964, Clay and Liston stepped into the ring fighting for the heavyweight world champion title. In the first two rounds it looked like Liston would win, but Clay didn't give up. He managed to do a lot of damage to Liston in the third round, which led to the hardest round in the whole fight. During the fourth round, Clay started going blind in his eyes. He couldn't see and he wanted to stop the fight, but Dundee didn't let him. Dundee washed out his eyes and pushed him back out there. Halfway through the 5th round Clay's eyes cleared. Round six belonged to Cassius because Liston couldn't even land a hit on him. As round 7 was about to start Liston did not come out. The fight was over, Cassius won

"Sonny Liston is not coming out! Sonny Liston is not coming out! He's Out! The winner and the new heavyweight champion of the world is Cassius Clay" (77).

"I shook up the world"

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9. "I am Muhammad Ali"

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A day after winning the heavyweight championship against Liston he finally announced he was a proud Muslim. He takes on the name "Cassius X" first until march 6th. On that day, Elijah Muhammad was on a radio broadcast from Chicago and announced that Clay shouldn't be his name. His name should be Muhammad Ali. And that day he decided he was not Cassius Clay, he was Muhammad Ali.

"This Clay name has no divine meaning. I hope he will accept being called by a better name. Muhammad Ali is what i will give him for as long as he believes in Allah and follows me." - Elijah Muhammad over the radio in 1964 (102)

Muhammad speaks on his name

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2. Poetry

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An important part of Clay's life was poetry. He started writing poetry at the age of 14, and used it as a way to express himself when important or bad events in his life happened. And after staying in Rome, he came back and recited his first published poem "How Cassius Took Rome", to a welcoming crowd of people at the Louisville Airport.

11. Tour through Africa

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-02 20:31:20 UTC

Osman Karriem saw that Muhammad was stressed out. There was so much pressure on him and a lot going on following his conversion to Islam, and the feud between Malcolm and Elijah Muhammad. So Osman organized a tour through Africa, and on May 14, 1964 Ali left for Africa. They visited Ghana, Nigeria, and Egypt. All countries reacted differently to Ali but they were mostly positive. Ghana loved Muhammad. They treated him like a national hero. Muhammad Loved visiting Africa. He felt out of place in America sometimes and he loved learning more about different cultures including his own.

"In America, everything is white" he told his audience. "I'm glad to be here with my true people."- Muhammad Ali (109)

"It began in Ghana, where thousands of people cheered Ali's arrival and treated him like a national hero. In the capital Accra, he kissed babies, boxed an exhibition, visited factories and schools, and met with Ghanian President Lwame Nkrumah." (109)

His love for Africa

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12. Malcolm X Assasinated

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While visiting Ghana Muhammad Remembers crossing Paths with Malcolm X. Malcolm didn't look his best and Muhammad was amused by it. Malcolm betrayed Elijah and that all Muhammad could see. The opposite counts for Malcolm. Malcolm still loved Ali and didn't care if he took his side or not. That was his friend and all he ever wanted was for Ali to be the best and strongest. Malcolm was hurt he lost a friend

Ali was a part of Malcolm family, and a brother to him.

And on February 21, 1965 Malcolm X was Shot, and died. Muhammad found out from a brother, and it hurt him. It hurt him that someone who wanted to right died so young and so horrible. Although he disagreed with the decisions Malcolm made towards the end, he was still his brother.

"It was a pity and a disgrace he died like that, because what Malcolm saw was right, and after he left us, we went his way anyway. Color didn't make a man a devil. It's the heart, soul and mind that counts." -Muhammad Ali (112)

Losing A brother

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10. The riff that broke everything

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In late 1963 the Nation of Islam was torn apart when Malcolm and Elijah Muhammad didn't get along. Everyone started to notice after Kennedy's Assassination and Elijah asked none of his ministers to comment on anything. But Malcolm did. Malcolm said it was a case of "chickens coming home to roost" and in return he was suspended by Elijah for 90 days to stay away from the Nation of Islam. Malcolm also was in trouble because there was various allegation including financial impropriety and sexual misconduct. And after a while if was obvious people had to take sides, and Muhammad was on Elijah's. This led to the depletion Malcolm and Muhammad's friendship.

"As a farm boy myself, chickens coming home to roost never did make me sad. They've always made me glad." - Malcolm X on Kennedy's Assassination (105)

13. Liston is beat again.

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-03 04:31:22 UTC

On May 25, 1965 in Lewiston Maine, the rematch between Liston took place. It was a fight most people did not watch. Not only because of the controversy Muhammad was facing being a Muslim, but because the fight was over before it even started. Ali landed three punches on Liston before he tumbled to the ground. The fight lasted only 2 minutes before Ali knocked out Liston. Liston got a second chance but after about 20 seconds of standing up, the fight was stopped because Liston couldn't stay on his feet and the fight was over, Muhammad Ali won once again.

"I wanted him to get up so i could show everyone how great i was"- Muhammad Ali (128)

14. I Ain't Got No Quarrel

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-03 05:24:37 UTC

Muhammad was outside with Robert Lypsyte , when a red news van stopped in front of him and told him his draft status changed and that he was eligible for drafting. Muhammad was scared and stressed out. Multiple press outlets called him and one got him in trouble and scarred his career. He was asked "What do you think about the {expletive} " to which he responded "Man, i ain't got no quarrel with them {expletive}." and that was the headline caused a lot of controversy

15. Refuses to Enlist

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-03 06:16:27 UTC

On April 28, 1967 at around 1:05 to 1:10 pm is when Muhammad's devotion to Islam Really showed. On that day he refused to accept his lawful induction into the Armed forces. Muhammad Had two chances to step forward when his name was called but he didn't. He knew what he was facing but he was okay with the consequences if it meant standing up for what he believed. He wrote a written statement as his final chance stating "I refuse to be inducted into the armed forces of the United States because i claim to be exempt as a minister of the religion of Islam." (169). Later on he was indicted on May 8th, 1967 and on the same day released on a 5 thousand dollar bail. He was sentenced to five years in prison, a fine of ten thousand dollars, got his passport confiscated, world champion title revoked, and termination of his ring career

16. Ali vs. Frazier (I)

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-22 18:09:35 UTC

On March 8th, 1971 Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali fought for the first time. They did a lot of damage to each other in the ring. Ali spent a lot of time laying against the ropes and Joe spent that time trying to knock him out. Joe would not get away from Ali even when the Referee would break them apart. In the eleventh round Joe hit Ali with a left hook which made him unstable, and wobble across the ring. In the fifteenth round Joe Frazier hit him with another left hook, but this time harder than the last and knocked down Ali. The ref didn't even have 3 seconds before Ali stood up and was ready to fight. Ali tried to pull his head forward leaning against the ropes to protect his body, but Joe Frazier hurt him badly with yet another left hook. Ali was hurt, and when he went down, the fight was over, Joe Frazier won.

17. Ali vs. Frazier (II)

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-22 18:28:49 UTC

On January 28th, 1974 Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier had their second fight in Madison Square Garden. The fight was very different from the first one. The whole fight Frazier would come in bobbing, weaving, and punching scoring one to two shots. He had one job, and that was to bend his knees and keep Ali from holding him. Everyone in his corner told him to do that but he didn't, and that gave Ali enough time to hit him with a straight right. Everyone on Frazier's corner wanted to say the fight wasn't over, but the winner was clear as day, Muhammad Ali won

18. Underdog

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-24 22:25:44 UTC

On October 30th 1974, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman fought in Kinshasa, Zaire. Most of the fight Ali stayed against the ropes and took some punches, blocked some and threw some. Everyone in Ali's corner, including his coach Angelo were telling him to dance around him and get him tired quicker but Ali had a different plan. Ali knew his legs would get tired if he just danced around Foreman all night so he had to take a trick from one of his inspirations, Archie Moore. He was gonna take some punches, so as the rounds go on George's punches would get less powerful and he would get slower, and it worked. In the 8th round Muhammad successfully knocked out George Foreman.

"If i'd knocked him down in the first round, he would have gotten up. But by the time I got him, he was so exhausted that to pull himself up was just too much." - Muhammad Ali (277)

20. Ali vs. Frazier (III)

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-25 01:51:21 UTC

On October 1st, 1975 Ali and Frazier ended their fighting trilogy. The first couple of round belonged to Ali because he challenged Frazier and landed multiple shots. Later on Ali started getting tired and the rounds were equally theirs, both landing incredible shots. By the 7th round, people recall both Ali and Frazier just standing there and hitting each other. That went on for a while until round 12, where Ali woke up and started just landing multiple blows left and right. He knocked Frazier's Mouthpiece out in round 13 and Frazier's face was beaten up bad. His eyes were swollen and one of them completely closed. After the 14th round, Eddie Futch saw in what condition Frazier was in and stopped the fight. Muhammad Ali won once again.

Thrilla in Manila

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-25 01:52:37 UTC

23. Three Time World Champ

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-25 02:17:27 UTC

On September 15th, 1978 Muhammad Ali fought Leon Spinks. They had fought before that same year on February 15th and Ali had lost. This time the whole world was watching because Ali was getting old and everyone knew this might be one of his last fights. The fight was said to be a "terrible" fight. Both fighters didn't really fight, but Ali ended up winning by unanimous decision making him the first person to be a three time world heavyweight champion.

24. His health deteriorating

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-25 02:39:34 UTC

Muhammad Ali's health has been a concern for a while, but after fighting Larry Holmes it was obvious it was worse that everyone thought. Muhammad Ali was tired all the time, he slurred his words, barely talked, and had moved slower than he usually would. Muhammad visited a lot of doctors, went under different tests, took medications he wasn't supposed to be taking until he was diagnose with a neurological disease called Parkinsonism by Dr. Stanley Fahn. Dr. Fahn made the conclusion that his Parkinsonism was caused by the damage to his cells by physical trauma, more specifically trauma to his head. Ali was still able to function, but his speech got worse over time, and he moved unusually slow. But that didn't stop Muhammad. He would spend time going on walks, and working out as best as he could. He felt like he could do anything, and his condition couldn't stop that mentality

21.Movie Superstar

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-27 15:58:32 UTC

In 1976, Random House published a autobiography written by Richard Durham called "The Greatest: My Own Story: Muhammad Ali". Later on in May of 1977, the book was followed by a movie called "The Greatest" which featured Ali as himself, and famous actors such as Paul Winfield, Robert Duvall.

Short movie clip

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The Comic

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19. Elijah Muhammad dies

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-27 16:11:15 UTC

On February 25 1975, Elijah Muhammad passes away. It hurt the Islam Nation a lot, including Ali. But Elijah's son Wallace stepped in and took over his position. Wallace promised to take on his fathers legacy, but to teach the true teachings of Islam, and the Quran. Although a lot of the Nation didn't like Wallace's "new teachings", Muhammad did. For a long time, Muhammad was made to believe that white people are evil and that all of his problems should be blamed on them or other people. Wallace's teachings helped him express that he doesn't really believe that, and never really did.

"Now his son Wallace is showing us there are good and bad regardless of color, that the devil is the mind and heart, not the skin."(295)

22. Superhero

rendoaly000 — 2024-03-27 16:37:16 UTC

In the year 1978, Muhammad Ali's name and image was licensed by DC Comics for a limited edition comic called

" Superman vs Muhammad Ali: The Fight to Save Earth from Star-Warriors."

How Cassius Took Rome

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Winning the Olympic Gold Medal

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First round knockout

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Biggest fight in the world

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Rematch

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"Ali is back"

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