Accomplishments of Muhammad Ali

Three-time heavy weight champion, Muhammad Ali needs no introduction. Born on 17th January, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky in the U.S., this American boxer had modest beginnings. It was not only his flamboyant style in the ring that brought him into the limelight, Muhammad Ali was also intensely outspoken about social issues that shrouded him in controversy. Fondly nicknamed as 'The Greatest', Muhammad Ali is known as a man who follows strict principles in life. With an illustrious career, this man caused a sense of fear in the boxing ring. Here, we shall check important details and accomplishments of Muhammad Ali.

Accomplishments of Muhammad Ali:
It was at the age of 12 when Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, known as Muhammad Ali later on, had his first tryst with boxing. One fine evening, Ali's bike was stolen from the Columbia auditorium. This shocked the young boy, who was already boiling with rage. This was the time when he was introduced to Joe Martin, a police officer who advised Ali to learn boxing before attempting to fight a person! As an amateur, Ali was trained by Joe and Fred Stoner, an African American trainer. From thereon, Muhammad Ali went on to bag many awards. A total of 6 Kentucky Golden Gloves awards, Amateur Athletic Union National Titles and 2 national Golden Gloves title were awarded to Ali. He also won the Light-heavyweight gold medal in the Summer Olympics held in Rome in the year, 1960. These were some of his accomplishments in the early years.

His first professional achievement happened in 1960, when he defeated Tunney Hunsaker. During the period between 1960-1963, Muhammad Ali had a record breaking winning spree by defeating pros such as Tony Esperti, Jim Robinson, Alonzo Johnson, Doug Jones etc. In 1964, Ali defeated Sonny Liston and won the Heavyweight Champion of the World title. It is also said that Ali, disgusted with incidents of racism, chucked his Olympic medal into a river as a way of protest and opted for Islam religion.

Despite a setback in May 1967, when his license was taken away and he was even asked to serve a 5 years sentence in prison, Ali tried to bounce back into the professional scene. He was helped by a state senator and by this time, the support for Ali had grown. By 1970 he received his boxing license back and he defeated Jerry Quarry. But, he was also defeated by Joe Frazier. However, this did not stop him and he won against Joe in 1975. In 1978, Muhammad Ali lost to Leon Spinks. However, in a rematch held in 1978, Ali fought against Spinks for the Heavyweight title. This time round, Spinks was defeated by Ali. However, despite the victory, Muhammad Ali announced his retirement on the 27th June, 1979.

Even after the announcement of his retirement, Ali returned in 1980 to fight Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick, but lost to both. At that time, Ali had a record of 56 victories and 5 losses only!

This dynamic sports personality also has a street named after him in Louisville, Kentucky. He has even been elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame apart from being included in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. In 1996, he was awarded the honor of lighting the Olympic torch in Atlanta. He was also awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in 1997. BBC honored Ali by awarding him a BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. He is also the only man to have a three time victory in the linear heavyweight championship. Despite being diagnosed with the Parkinson's Syndrome in 1984, Ali continues to work and help the downtrodden by lending his name to many such organizations. Surely, this greatest heavyweight boxer is truly an inspiration for many.