Interesting facts about Muhammad Ali

3 June 2016 the whole world has heard the news about the death of Mohammed Ali, world Boxing 60-70-ies, recognized as some of the sport magazines "Sportsman of the century". Here are just a few interesting facts from the life of the world king of the ring.

He was born in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, and was named by her parents Cassius Marcellus clay. The name Mohammed Ali, the boxer took only in 1964, after converting to Islam. Clay said that no longer wishes to carry the name which was given to his ancestors slave owners.





However, among the ancestors of the family clay was not only the slaves. His mother Odessa Grady clay thoroughly researched his ancestry and found that her family was an Irishman Abe Grady and among distant relatives was even US presidents Harrison, Tyler, Taylor, and Harrison.
Boxing boy decided at 12 years of age. And this was with good reason: he stole the bike on which Cassius earned by their own labor, he was cleaning floors at the University of Louisville. The teenager appealed for help to the police, promising to beat the thief. To this the guard replied that it would not hurt Boxing. Two weeks later, Cassius came to the gym.

Early in his Boxing career, clay was dreaming about the professional ring. Coaches persuaded him to wait until the 1960 Olympic games. On games 18-year-old boxer was the youngest of the heavyweights, but managed to win the tournament, defeating in the final the experienced pole Zbigniew Pestovskogo. Interestingly, Cassius suffered boyazny flights. To participate in the Olympics, Cassius had to make a flight and he told his coach that refuses to participate in the Olympic games. For two hours the coach Glue has convinced him that if he will not fly, it'll ruin his career. In the end, Cassius agreed to fly, but took precautions — I have bought a parachute from a military surplus store and went straight to it.
First fight as a professional boxer clay held on October 29, 1960. Opponent was Tunney Hunsaker. Despite the fact that for 6 rounds, none of the contenders failed to finish fight ahead of schedule, the decision of the judges the winner was recognized clay, but Hunsaker said that he fought the future champion.

In April 1967, when Ali earned in the ring is already more than $ 3 million, the boxer had problems with justice. Mohammed refused military service, and pleased by the court. The athlete denied a license as a professional boxer and world champion titles. Weaning from Boxing lasted more than three years. During this time Ali advertised the hamburger, wrote an autobiography and even played in the musical.
The court's decision was repealed only in 1971. The Commission took into account the fact that the religious beliefs of Mohammed Ali did not allow him to take up arms.

March 31, 1973, Mohammed met with Ken Norton, his opponent has never been important fights, and his last match he received a total of $ 300. Suddenly, in the second round, Ken had an accurate blow to the jaw of Mohammed and broke it. Dr. Ali in the corner wanted to stop the fight, but the boxer forbade him to do it. The fight lasted all 12 rounds, Ali lost a split decision.
Ali's professional career lasted more than 20 years, from 1960 to 1981. During this time the athlete has spent 61 fight, scoring 56 victories. In 37 fights, Muhammad Ali ended the fight early, sending the opponent in the knockout.

Ali was married four times, he has seven daughters and two sons. The marriage broke up due to the fact that the wife did not want to accept Islam, Ali between marriage and religion chosen religion.
In 1978, the athlete visited the Soviet Union. Here he held a demonstration tracheascopy battle. Moreover, in each round was different rivals: Peter Zaev, Evgeny Gorstkov and Igor Vysotsky. In addition, Ali met with Leonid Brezhnev, and received from him a gift of the book "Small Land", "Rebirth" and "Virgin".

Since 1984, the athlete was suffering from Parkinson's disease. Despite the disease, Ali was active: donated huge sums to charity, was a goodwill Ambassador, often visited the poor countries of Africa and Asia.
In 1993, Mohammed Ali, according to the Associated Press, was voted the most recognizable athlete in the world. Knew about it 97% of Americans.

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