In the world of boxing, Muhammad Ali was an absolute legend who entertained many fans. He is no longer with us since his unfortunate demise in 2016. Professionally, he used to be an American professional boxer and social activist. His talent as a boxer and athlete is undeniable. Through his aggressive and strategic boxing performances, Muhammad Ali became one of the ‘Greatest of All Times’ in the sport. Earning the GOAT title from fans and critics is a huge deal for him. In fact, he is even regarded as a global cultural icon.
Even after his demise, his name lives eternally in the history of boxing. Many aspiring or emerging boxers are inspired by Muhammad Ali to this day. The impact he had on the sport is quite exceptional and not many boxers come close to his level. He had established his legacy in the world of boxing really well before retiring. Parkinson’s Disease caused him to leave boxing behind at the peak of his career. Keep reading to find out more about this boxing legend. This blog is going to discuss ‘5 Reasons Muhammad Ali Is Real Sporting GOAT’ and much more.
Overview & Personal Details
Official name | Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. |
Other names | Muhammad Ali, The Greatest, People’s Champion, & The Louisville Lip |
Professions | Boxer & Social Activist |
Nationality | American |
Place of birth | Louisville, Kentucky, USA |
Date of birth | January 17, 1942 |
Date & Place of death | June 3, 2016 (Scottsdale, Arizona, USA) |
Age at death | 74 years old (At the time of demise) |
Zodiac sign | Capricorn |
Ethnicity | African-American |
Caste | Muhammad |
Religion | Islam |
Marital Status | Married |
Affiliation | Boxing Sport |
Languages Known | Urdu & English |
Resting Place (Burial Site) | Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky |
5 Reasons Muhammad Ali Is Real Sporting GOAT – A Legendary Boxer
- Well Disciplined In The Ring: Undoubtedly, he was very disciplined as a boxer in the ring. As you may know, discipline plays an important role in this sport aside from aggression. Muhammad Ali learned how to control his anger and other emotions. For example, knowing when to stop the punches after a KO out of respect. In fact, he treated boxing as an art form.
- Unimaginable Speeds: Muhammad Ali in his prime was known for his fast speed and reflexes. This gave him a huge advantage over the other boxers. He proved everyone wrong that big men can’t be fast. Muhammad Ali was so fast that he even developed his own footwork. To this day, Ali Shuffle is very prominent in boxing. This is a technique which includes shuffling your feet at high speeds.
- People’s Champion: As a boxer, Muhammad Ali earned a lot of relevance among the audience. He was declared the People’s Champion by the fans because of his skills and prominence. Muhammad Ali was pretty good at interacting and connecting with his fans. In fact, he even allowed them to enter his training camp for meeting purposes. He never minded being surrounded by people and only had a single bodyguard. Being the people’s Champion was a huge factor behind him becoming a GOAT.
- Charisma & Personality: Aside from boxing skills, Muhammad Ali also had a charismatic personality. This appealed to many fans and strengthened his bond with them. He had good communication skills which helped in connecting with the people.
- Tough & Courageous: As a boxer, Muhammad Ali was built differently and very strong. His toughness was witnessed pretty early by the fans. During fights, he remained unshaken after getting hit by sharp punches. Also, he never knew fear and jumped at the opportunity to showcase his talent. His courage as a fighter made him stand out.
Boxing Career Statistics & Record
- He competed as a boxer for more than 2 decades. To be more specific, Muhammad Ali started his boxing journey back in 1960. Thereafter, he retired in 1981.
- Throughout his journey, he competed in several events as an amateur and professional boxer from America.
- Muhammad Ali used to compete in the Heavyweight division. This weight class suited him perfectly as a boxer.
- Also, he used to stand tall at 6 feet and 3 inches (191 cm). This helped the boxing legend have a longer reach on his opponents.
- Speaking of which, Muhammad Ali had a reach of 78 inches or 198 cm.
- His boxing stance can be simply described as ‘Orthodox’.
- Muhammad Ali competed in a total of 61 boxing matches. Out of which, he won 56 boxing matches. 37 out of 56 matches were won by Knockout (KO). Lastly, Muhammad Ali lost 5 boxing fights in total.
Monuments of Muhammad Ali
To pay Muhammad Ali a tribute and token of appreciation, several monuments have been made in his name. All of these monuments serve as a constant reminder of this boxing legend’s reign in the sport. Whereas, they also depict his impact, respect, and dominance. Many of these monuments are normal places like a mall. But they are regarded as monuments with a sense of respect. A list of Muhammad Ali’s prominent monuments is provided below:
- Ali Mall
- Muhammad Ali Boulevard
- Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
- Muhammad Ali Center
Essence & Prominence of Muhammad Ali in Boxing
In the sport of boxing, there is no GOAT (Greatest of All Time) list that does not include Muhammad Ali. If his name is absent in any then that list is completely irrelevant. This boxing star gave some incredible performances during his time and won many hearts. He is considered to be a legend in the Heavyweight class division of Boxing. His footwork often referred to as the Ali Shuffle is as legendary as him.
A major achievement of his career has been becoming an Olympic Gold Medalist as a boxer. After turning pro as a boxer in 1960, he showcased exceptional boxing skills with an aggressive style. He never seeked attention, instead his performances demanded it. On the other hand, his personality and aura was very appealing as well. He captivated audiences during press conferences through his way of speaking.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest boxers of all time. His name is very significant to be included in all GOAT lists of boxers. He had a strong and engaging presence which appealed to boxing fans worldwide. To this day, many individuals have his poster in their room.
FAQs
What was Muhammad Ali’s real name?
Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr
How old was he at the time of death?
Muhammad Ali died at the age of 74 years old.
Where was he born?
Kentucky, USA
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