Muhammad Ali
The heavyweight who moved like a welterweight.
- Born
- January 17, 1942, Louisville, Kentucky, US
- Died
- June 3, 2016 (aged 74)
- Nationality
United States- Height
- 191 cm (6′3″)
- Reach
- 198 cm (6′6″)
- Stance
- Orthodox
- Style
- Mobile out-boxer
- Weight
- Heavyweight
- Active
- 1960–1981
The record
Professional; matches the IBHOF record (61 bouts)
1960 Olympic gold (light heavyweight)
The story
assius Clay won Olympic light heavyweight gold in Rome at 18 and turned pro later that year. In 1964 he took the heavyweight title from Sonny Liston, who stayed on his stool after six rounds, and soon announced his new name, Muhammad Ali. His refusal to be drafted in 1967 cost him the title and more than three years out of the ring. He came back to lose the 1971 Fight of the Century to Joe Frazier, then regained the crown in Zaire in 1974 by leaning on the ropes until George Foreman punched himself out. He beat Frazier again in Manila, lost to Leon Spinks in 1978 and won the rematch, becoming the first man to win the heavyweight title three times. He retired in 1981 with a 56-5 record.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- Lineal heavyweight champion (3 reigns, 1964–1979)
- Undisputed heavyweight champion (1974–1978)
- First man to win the heavyweight title three times
- International Boxing Hall of Fame (1990)
- The Ring Fighter of the Year (6 times)
- Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Century (1999)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005)
Defining fights
- 1964WINvs Sonny Liston (RTD 6, won heavyweight title)
- 1971LOSSvs Joe Frazier (UD 15, Fight of the Century)
- 1974WINvs George Foreman (KO 8, Rumble in the Jungle)
- 1975WINvs Joe Frazier (RTD 14, Thrilla in Manila)
- 1978WINvs Leon Spinks (UD 15, third heavyweight title)
Build your rounds around a busy jab and constant foot movement, the way Ali did. Keep your guard up, though: his habit of dropping the left and pulling straight back from punches only worked because of his speed.
