Muhammad Ali

Nathan Lewis

Muhammad Ali

Quotes Early Life Cassius Clay’s Boxing Career Conversion in Faith Muhammad Ali’s Boxing Career After Boxing Accomplishments Legacy Alternate Careers Questions Key Terms

Muhammad Ali Quotes

“Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.”

“It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe.”

“It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself.”

“Its not bragging if you can back it up.” “Float like a butterfly, and sting like a bee.”

Early Life

Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. born Jan. 17, 1942

Faced prejudice and discrimination "Well, you better learn how to fight before

you start challenging people," -Joe Martin- 1954 police chief and boxing trainer

Cassius Clay’s Boxing Career

First victory 1954 1956 novice light heavyweight championships 1960 Olympic Boxing Team Gold Medal bout against Zbigniew Pietrzkowski Seemingly undefeated in the 1960’s Heavyweight Champion of the world bout against

Henry Cooper then Sonny Liston The Greatest “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”

Beliefs in Islam

Joined the Nation of Islam group in 1964 From his “slave name” Cassius Clay to Muhammad

Ali In 1966 a drafted Muslim minister The Department of Justice filed a report on Ali

denying his claim for conscientious objector status Suspended from boxing for 3½ years and the loss of

his titles

Muhammad Ali’s Boxing Career

1970 bout against Jerry Quarry 15 round “Fight of the Century” 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” Once again Champion of the world 14 round “Thrilla in Manila” Late 1970’s losing streak

After Boxing Accomplishments

Parkinson disease Created the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Disease Center United Nations Messenger of Peace International Ambassador of Jubilee 2000 2005 Presidential Medal of Freedom Opened the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisiana in 2005 Amnesty International's Lifetime Achievement Award Germany's 2005 Otto Hahn Peace Medal Became both “Kentuckian of the Century” and “Louisvillian of the

Century” 2009 Presidents Award from the NAACP for his public services His sports honors include: Sportsman of the Century, Sports

Personality of the Century, Athlete of the Century, and World Sportsman of the Century

Alternate Careers

An Actor he played himself in his autobiography The Greatest

Starred in Freedom Road a popular television show along with many more

Created a record, I am the Greatest He published a memoir, The Soul of a Butterfly:

Reflections on Life's Journey Co-author of, Healing: A Journal of Tolerance and

Understanding and The Greatest: My Own Story. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atyMRtlIP_o

Legacy

• Helped millions of people around the world• Revolutionalized the sport of boxing• Continues to help people by his creation of

the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center• http://www.biography.com/people/

muhammad-ali-9181165?page=2 4:09

Who helped Cassius Clay discover his talent for boxing?

a) Joe Frazier

b) Joe Montana

c) Joe Martin

d) Joe Paterno

e) Joe Buck

Who fought during Rumble in the Jungle?

a) Joe Frazier

b) Sonny Liston

c) Jerry Quarry

d) Leon Spinks

e) George Forman

What did Muhammad do in his free time other than boxing?

a) Help people in need over seas

b) Help people in need in America

c) Sing

d) Star in a TV show

e) All of the above

Why didn’t Muhammad fight in the Vietnam war?

a) He said he was a practicing to become a Muslim preacher

b) He had back problems

c) He was in the hospital with a concussion due to too many knock outs

d) He wasn’t alive back then

e) He was highly allergic to gunpowder

What did Muhammad say he was?

a) A Work Horse

b) A Lama

c) The Warrior

d) The Greatest

e) The Bruiser

Key Terms

Joe Martin – Police chief who introduced young Cassius Clay to boxing and became his coach

Fight of the Century – Fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Frazier wins

Rumble in the Jungle – Fight between Muhammad Ali and George Forman. Muhammad wins

Thrilla in Manila – Rematch between Ali and Frazier. Ali wins

Parkinson's disease – a neurological disease that deteriorates the brain cells