Written by Derek Moody, June 5, 2014, at 2:47 a.m. Tweet To: @DerekMoody619
Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, was the most inspiring, controversial and influential boxer to ever step in the ring. He was known as “The Louisville Lip” in his early career for constantly taunting opponents and going a bit overboard with it. Clay became the heavyweight champion of the world at 22 years of age defeating the heavy favorite Sonny Liston in 1964.
Not long after the bout, Clay converted to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. From then on he was known as “The Greatest.” At first it was self-proclaimed but eventually he lived up to it. During that time period, he really grew into his own outside of the ring though he was only taken serious because of what he did in the ring.
Over the next three years, Ali would show his dominance in the ring and his wisdom outside of the ring. April 28, 1967, Ali was drafted for the Vietnam War but refused to join due to his faith, stating he was a conscientious objector. He was taken to court on June 20, 1967, and it only took 21 minutes to find him guilty. All of his boxing licenses were suspended and he was stripped of the heavyweight title. After several appeals, Clay v. United States took place and he won a unanimous 8-0 decision overturning his conviction of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Ali would fight again, taking part in the most famous boxing matches to date: Ali-Frazier II, Rumble in the Jungle and The Thrilla in Manila. Living up to his nickname, Th Greatest, he would win the title two more times.
Ali’s Impact on Boxing
Decades after he had retired, he was able to make a presence felt by helping the common welfare of fighters a priority with the Muhammad Ali Reform Act. The Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, commonly referred to as the Ali Act, is a federal law that was introduced in 1999 and enacted on May 26, 2000.
Ali Act was in place to: protect the rights and welfare of boxers, aid state boxing commissions with the oversight of boxing, increase sportsmanship and integrity within the boxing industry. The Act amends the 1996 Professional Boxing Safety Act by expanding upon legislature against exploitation, conflict of interest, enforcement, and as well as additional amendments. The Act was in response to abuse of boxers via exploitation, a rigged ranking system, and rigged matches.
Impact on MMA
The reason myself and so many others drew appeal to combat sports was primarily due to Muhammad Ali. The rare mixture of skill and wit keep us entertained for a lifetime. It’s very hard to find an athlete or individual in combats sports who wasn’t influenced by Ali or a fan of Ali. Overcoming adversity inside and outside the ring, gave hope to many who’d follow in his footsteps.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQKaJlzuf5g
The Ali Act made such a difference that now there is a huge push from mixed martial artist to have it applied to mixed martial arts. If MMA were at the level it’s at now maybe 10 years ago Ali may have helped make that possible as he cared for his fellow fighters. Every Act or Law has it’s flaws but it’s still a positive push in the right direction and that’s the point needed to be made in MMA that fighters are lobbying for.
Impact on Society
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgCGrjtlCCE
Ali was considered the greatest boxer by many but his accolades outside of the ring were far more admirable. He traveled all around the world to help out those in need, not seeking personal benefit or publicity. Leading up to the Gulf War, there were 15 Americans held hostage that Saddam Hussein was unwilling to give up. Muhammad Ali flew to Iraq to negotiate their release.
Ali’s meeting with Saddam Hussein on Nov. 29, 1990, was open to the media for which he was criticized deeply. Waiting patiently while Saddam praised himself for treating the hostages so well. Ali promised Saddam Hussein that he’d bring America an honest fair account of Iraq.
Hussein responded with, “I’m not going to let Muhammad Ali return to the United States without having a number of the American citizens accompanying him.”
The trip proved beneficial as all 15 hostages were able to return home to their families. In 1998, he was chosen to be a United Nations Messenger of Peace because of his work in developing nations.
In 2001, President Clinton honored Muhammad Ali will the second highest civilian award that can be received in the United States, the Presidential Citizen’s Medal. The honor of the medal is for an individual “who has performed exemplary deeds or services for his or her country or fellow citizens.”
In 2005, President Bush honored Muhammad Ali with the highest civilian award that can be received in the United States, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It awards those individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” Muhammad Ali was awarded these medals for the impact he had during the civil rights movement and his work to help the release of the hostages during the Gulf War.
Muhammad Ali, 74, passed away on June 3, 2016, of septic shock after being on life support the previous day. Originally Ali was brought in due to respiratory issues that gradually worsened.
After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Syndrome (a degenerative neurological condition that affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine, symptoms include muscle rigidity, tremors, and changes in speech and gait) in 1984, many related it to the damage at the end of his career where he took majority of the head shots he received.
It’s more likely a build up of damage over the two decades of boxing forming the head trauma attributing to the Parkinson’s Syndrome. It has been hard seeing such a wonderful soul and kind-hearted spirit reduced to these symptoms seeing how many gems he gave us verbally over that time frame.
We truly lost The Greatest of All Time, his boxing accomplishments are well known which is why I touched on a few great moments outside of the ring. Whether you’re a fan of Ali in the ring, out of the ring, or both, we can all agree that he touched our lives forever and will be missed. Thank you for all the great moments that will live on forever. Rest In Peace. G.O.A.T.
List of Accolades:
- 2x Golden Gloves Champion (1959-1960)
- Olympic Gold Medalist in Boxing (1960)
- 3x World heavyweight Boxing Champ (1964-1967, 1974-1978, 1978-1979)
- Pro Record 56-5 37 KO’s
- Boxing Hall of Fame (1990)
- Lights Olympic Torch (1996)
- Presidential Citizen’s Medal (2001)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005)
- Otto Hahn Peace Medal in Gold (2005)