Muhammad Ali: Boxing, Image and Athletes in Politics

Cassius Clay  Born January 17, 1942  Louisville, Kentucky  Began boxing at 12 years old after having his bike stolen

Cassius Clay  Dominant as an amateur fighter  6 Kentucky Golden Gloves titles  2 National Golden Gloves titles  2 National AAU titles  All before he was 18  1960 Gold Medalist in the Rome Olympics

Cassius Clay  Clay very quickly established himself as a heavyweight contender  First title fight came against Sonny Liston  Liston was the Tyson of his generation  Clay becoming known for his mouth as much as for his skill

Quotes Leading Up to the First Liston Fight  Best estimates had Clay as a 3:1 underdog  Clay’s fighting style was very unorthodox for a heavyweight  "Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee. Your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see."

Clay Defeats Liston  February 25, 1964  Clay beat Liston soundly  Liston refused to answer the bell for the seventh  Becomes a social phenomenon after the fight

Conversion to Islam  During training for the first Liston fight, Clay became friends with Malcolm X  Became a member of the Nation of Islam  Changed his name to Cassius X, then Muhammad Ali

Why Muhammad Ali?  “Cassius Clay is a slave name. I didn't choose it, and I didn't want it. I am Muhammad Ali, a free name - it means beloved of God - and I insist people use it when speaking to me and of me.”

Early Years As Champion  Ali continued to dominate the heavyweight ranks  Defended title 9 times in two years, including victories over Liston (again) and Floyd Paterson  His outspoken nature will also keep him in the spotlight

Vietnam  Trouble comes in 1967  Ali refuses to serve in the American military  "War is against the teachings of the Holy Qur'aan. I'm not trying to dodge the draft. We are supposed to take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or The Messenger. We don't take part in Christian wars or wars of any unbelievers.“The Messenger  “No Vietcong ever called me n****r”

1967  Ali continues his dominance in the ring, but becomes a lightning rod for controversy.  Mainstream America is suspicious of the Nation of Islam  Ali is stripped of his championship, convicted for refusing induction into the U.S. army.  Not allowed to fight for three years

1970  Ali kept himself in the spotlight by speaking at rallies and college campuses  allowed to return to the ring  Supreme Court overturns his conviction  Conscientious objector

The Fight of the Century  Not the same fighter  Time off hurt him  His most famous fights come in this era, starting with Joe Frazier  “Rope-a-dope” strategy starts to go into effect

The Rumble in the Jungle Ali-Foreman, 1974  One of the first fights ever promoted by Don King  Fought against George Foreman in Zaire  “From Slaveship to Championship”  Ali given virtually no chance against Foreman  Fight has all sorts of controversy outside of the ring (social/political)

Films We’ll Be Screening  “When We Were Kings- The Rumble in the Jungle”  “Facing Ali”