WEB CHUTNEY

A champion, an icon, a legend, a father, a husband a man. These were all the thing Muhammad Ali was. But it still doesn’t start to describe how great this man really was.

Ali first won the heavyweight championship at the young age of 22 in a huge upset win against Sonny Liston. In highlight of the fight you can see at 4 : 45 the shock and excitement Ali had in winning the belt.

This is the start of Muhammad Ali’s boxing career where he himself says he shook up the world and he truly did after this fight.

Ali went on to defend his title numerous time until he was stripped of it for refusing to being inducted into the armed forces. This made Ali an icon as he became someone who stood up for his beliefs no matter the consequences

He was stripped of his title for four years where he couldn’t box between the age of 25 - 29 which were considered prime boxing years for any boxer. Ali returned and fought two title contenders until he was given the title shot against Joe Fraizer. He lost to Fraizer in a unanimous decision.

Ali went on to fight Joe Fraizer again defeating him the second time they met.

After defeating Fraizer Ali was given a title fight against George Foreman a younger fighter who had been winning by knockouts. Here Ali is talking about the different things he had been doing for his fight against Foreman

Ali was not expected to win but he beat the younger stronger fighter with boxing skill, will and determination.

This could be considered Muhammad Ali’s greatest victory as no one thought he would win but he did. He was the underdog and his whole training camp thought he was going to lose but he proved them wrong.

Ali then went on to fight Fraizer for the third time. The fight was called the Thrilla in Manilla. Ali aggravated Friazer by calling him a gorilla and would taunt his opponent constantly during the lead up to the fight and throughout the fight itself. Ali won by referee stoppage.

Ali then went on to fight a few more fights most notably a fight against Leon Spinks who was an underdog against Ali and beat him for the belt. Ali won the belt back in the rematch making him the first heavyweight to win the belt three times.

Muhammad Ali fought more but his health was deteriorating. The early signs of Parkinsons had already begun and he wasn’t fighting for sport anymore but for money. He stopped fighting on December 11th 1981.

Muhammad Ali will always be remembered for his great victories and not for his defeats. He faced adversity many times and came out as the better man. He always won when people would think he would lose. He left his mark on the boxing world and is still remembered till now and will be for generations.

RIP champ