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Ali has left the building
Muhammad Ali passed away this week and is being mourned by people he touched throughout the world. No matter where he went, he was surrounded by fans who adored him.
Born in 1942 in Louisville Kentucky, he was named after his father, Cassius Marcellus Clay. They were both named after a staunch Republican abolitionist from the 19th century. His father painted billboards and signs, and his mother was a household domestic. He was a descendent of slaves in the American south and grew up in an area of racial segregation. He was once denied a drink of water at a store. That irked him greatly.
Occasionally, his temper flared. When his bike was stolen, he was furious. Fortunately, a Louisville police officer and boxing coach, Joe Martin, directed him to a gym in the basement of a school. That is where he learned the trade.
Although it is seldom noted, Ali had great physical gifts that suited him to the ring. He had height and a rock-solid physique. He had quick hands—and quicker feet. He could take a punch and show patience. To his competitors, he was the most infuriating opponent they ever faced.
Before a fight takes place, there are occasions when fighters just happen to be in the same room. It might be for a weigh-in, or simply an opportunity for the media to grab a note or two to hype the fight. Ali relished those opportunities, and always dominated the occasions.
He would announce that he was going to “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” He often denounced opponents as being ugly, proclaiming the champ had to be beautiful. “Ain’t I pretty?” he would ask.
He was branded with many names throughout his career, one being the “Louisville Lip.” As a prizefighter, he just would not quit taunting opponents, increasing the popularity of a fight. He acknowledged that he had watched “Gorgeous George,” a popular wrestler from the fifties, and adopted some of his shtick. George, with his beautiful blond flowing locks, wrestled for years around the world. George atomized the ring with perfume and often gave orchids to the ladies.
Prior to his professional career, Ali won a gold medal at the Rome Olympics in the light-heavyweight division. Francesco De Piccoli was the heavyweight champ, never to be heard from again. As a pro, Ali’s record was 56 wins, 5 losses. His final loss to Canadian Trevor Berbick was not pretty, nor were his losses to Larry Holmes and Leon Spinks near the end of his career.
In 1966, Ali refused to be conscripted into the American military, at that time involved in Vietnam. He was stripped of his titles and found guilty of draft evasion. The conviction was overturned in 1971.
There are many wonderful movies and documentaries about Ali. He even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was placed vertically, not horizontally, according to his directions. He did not want people walking on his name.
Only Ali.
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