Muhammad Ali Research Paper

“A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.” This quote is one Muhammad Ali’s most famous quotes. Muhammad lived his life to the fullest and accomplished almost all of his dreams. Muhammad Ali had an interesting, but tough childhood. Muhammad was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17th, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. As a young child Ali, unfortunately experienced racial prejudice and discrimination firsthand. “Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong." Muhammad Ali said. Ali discovered his talent for boxing in an unusual way. His bike was stolen so he went to an officer and told him what happened.

The first bout he was in he won by a split decision. He went on to win the 1956 Golden Gloves Tournament in light heavyweight. He called himself Cassius X until he settled on Muhammad Ali. His career score was fifty six wins, four losses, and thirty seven knockouts. Muhammad said “I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'”. Ali was known for his fancy footwork and lightning speed. Ali said he could “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” In 1960 he won a spot on the United States Olympic Boxing team. In the Olympics, he won gold in light heavyweight. Muhammad was one of boxing’s most celebrated athletes. He was married four times and had 9 children, two of which he fathered outside of the marriage. Besides being a famous boxer, Muhammad spoke against the Vietnam War. He was arrested for committing a felony and had to serve five years in prison, but remained free during those years. He almost lost his world title and boxing license. He was guilty for violating selective service laws. He was unable to compete, but he returned to the ring in 1970. After he won another bout, the court finally let him go. The court overturned the conviction in 1971. Ali missed three prime years of his boxing career. But soon recovered right

In 1984, he announced he had Parkinson’s disease which is a neurological condition. He also had a spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spine. Despite onset spinal stenosis, Muhammad remained publicly active. Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s disease center in Phoenix, Arizona was where Ali raised funds for his disease. A few years before his death Ali had a spinal stenosis surgery, which limited his ability to communicate. In 1996 Ali lit the Olympic cauldron which was a very emotional moment in sports history. “Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you're going to be right.” That was one of Ali’s famous quotes. Ali planned his own memorial services because he wanted to be inclusive of everyone. 20,000 people came to the 3 day event. Muhammad died on June 3, 2016 at the age of 74. Ali was a reminder of what boxing