TRIBUTE
TRIBUTE
“ Fly like a butterfly , sting like a bee ”
M
uhammad Ali , American Olympic and Professional Boxer . Activist , polarizing figure and inspiration for millions around the world . Ali became the most celebrated boxer of the 20th century and represented the African American community of the United States of America having lost only five matches out of 61 international matches . Muhammad Ali was born as Cassius Marcellus Clay , Jr . on January 17 , 1942 in Louisville , Kentucky . He had a sister and four brothers . He was named after his father , Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr ., who himself was named in honour of the 19th-century Republican politician and staunch abolitionist , Cassius Marcellus Clay , also from the state of Kentucky . He was a descendant of slaves of the antebellum South , and was predominantly of African descent , with Irish and English heritage while his paternal grandmother was a native of Madagascar . Clay grew up during the times of racial segregation . On one occasion Ali was denied a drink of water at a store — they wouldn ' t give him one because of his colour . That really affected him . He was also affected by the 1955 murder of Emmett Till , which led to young Clay and a friend taking out their frustration by vandalizing a local rail-yard . By nature Ali was said to be a joyous youngster with his own opinions and aggression . At the age of 12 , Ali was furious when his bicycle was stolen , this is when Louisville police officer and boxing coach Joe E . Martin introduced him to boxing and directed his aggression towards a new path . Ever since , there was no turning back for Ali . Clay made his amateur boxing debut in 1954 against local amateur boxer Ronnie O ' Keefe . He won by split decision . Clay then converted to Islam soon after and changed his name to Muhammad Ali . He said Cassius Clay is his slave name and went on to give messages of racial pride for African Americans . Ali showed great resistance to white domination during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement . Legend has it that Ali threw his Olympic gold medal in the Ohio river after he and a friend was denied a table at a ‘ whitesonly ’ restaurant . However the authenticity of this story is highly disputed . Ali received a replacement medal at a basketball intermission during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta , where he lit the torch to start the games . In Louisville , October 29 , 1960 , Cassius Clay won his first professional fight . He won a six-round decision over Tunney Hunsaker , who was the police chief of Fayetteville , West Virginia . From 1960 to 1963 , the young fighter amassed a record of 19-0 , with 15 knockouts . He defeated such boxers as Tony Esperti , Jim Robinson , Donnie Fleeman etc . Ali was scheduled to fight WBA champion Ernie Terrell in a unification bout in Toronto on March 29 , 1966 , but Terrell backed out and Ali won a 15-round decision against substitute opponent George Chuvalo . He then went to England and defeated Henry Cooper and Brian London by stoppage on cuts . Ali ’ s next defence was against German southpaw Karl Mildenberger , the first German to fight for the title since Max Schmeling . In one of the toughest fights of his life , Ali stopped his opponent in round 12 . In 1964 , Ali failed the Armed Forces qualifying test because his writing and spelling skills were subpar . However , in early 1966 , the tests were revised and Ali was reclassified . He refused to serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as a conscientious objector , because “ War is against the teachings of the Holy Koran . I ’ m not trying to dodge the draft . We are not supposed to take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or The Messenger . We don ’ t take part in Christian wars or wars of any unbelievers .” Ali also famously said , By refusing to respond to this name , Ali ’ s personal life was filled with controversy . Ali was essentially banned from fighting in the United States and forced to accept bouts abroad for most of 1966 . Ali ’ s actions in refusing military service and aligning himself with the Nation of Islam made him a lightning rod for controversy , turning the outspoken but popular former champion into one of that era ’ s most recognizable and controversial figures . Near the end of
1967 , Ali was stripped of his title by the professional boxing commission and would not be allowed to fight professionally for more than three years . He was also convicted for refusing induction into the army and sentenced to five years in prison . Over the course of those years in exile , Ali fought to appeal his conviction . He stayed in the public spotlight and supported himself by giving speeches primarily at rallies on college campuses that opposed the Vietnam War . In 1970 , Ali was finally able to get a boxing license . Once again able to fight in New York , he fought Oscar Bonavena at Madison Square Garden in December 1970 . After a tough 14 rounds , Ali stopped Bonavena in the 15th , paving the way for a title fight against Joe Frazier .
On September 13 , 1999 , Ali was named “ Kentucky Athlete of the Century ” by the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in ceremonies at the Galt House East . At a time when most fighters let their managers do the talking , Ali thrived in — and indeed craved — the spotlight , where he was often provocative and outlandish . He was known for trash talking , and often freestyled with rhyme schemes and spoken word poetry . As a world champion boxer , social activist , and pop culture icon , Ali was the subject of numerous books , films , music , video games , TV shows , and other creative works . Ali appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated on 37 different occasions , second only to Michael Jordan . He also appeared on the cover of Time Magazine 5 times , the most of any athlete . He even featured in more than 10 movies and has quite a few autobiographies and tributes to his name . His is the only name that is placed in a vertical position at the Hollywood hall of fame , upon his request that his name not be walked on . Ali was hospitalized in Scottsdale on June 2 , 2016 , with a respiratory illness . Though his condition was initially described as " fair ", it worsened and he died the following day , at the age of 74 , from septic shock . The world had lost a legend . Following Ali ' s death , he was the number one trending topic on Twitter for over 12 hours and on Facebook was trending topic number one for several days . ESPN played four hours of non-stop commercial-free coverage of Ali . BET played their documentary Muhammad Ali : Made In Miami . News networks such as CNN , BBC , Fox News , and ABC News also covered him extensively . Ali was mourned globally , and a family spokesman said the family " certainly believes that Muhammad was a citizen of the world … and they know that the world grieves with him ." Politicians such as Barack Obama , Hillary Clinton , Bill Clinton , Donald Trump , David Cameron and more paid tribute to Ali . Ali also received numerous tributes from the world of sports including Michael Jordan , Tiger Woods , Floyd Mayweather , Mike Tyson , the Miami Marlins , LeBron James , Steph Curry and more . Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer stated , " Muhammad Ali belongs to the world . But he only has one hometown ." What set Muhammad Ali apart was his multifaceted personality , zeal , determination , and lively attitude . One can never write a fitting tribute for a man of that substance . However , ‘ The Greatest : Muhammad Ali ’ continues to live in the hearts of the young and old , inspiring many as the years go .
-AKANKSHA M . ( ECE B 2 / 4 ) , TAZBIA FATIMA ( IT B 2 / 4 )