Muhammad Ali (January 17, 1942 -June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer and social activist. He is considered the greatest boxer in the history of heavyweights and is currently regarded as the greatest sportsman in the world. Ali initially won the Ring magazine heavyweight championship in 1964 and retained it until 1970. He would later become the uncontested heavyweight champion from 1974 to 1978 and the WBA and Ring heavyweight champion from 1978 to 1979. He was able to influence a lot beyond the boxing ring, and his global fame was achieved. In 1999, Sports Illustrated named him the Sportsman of the Century, and the BBC named him Sports Personality of the Century.
Early Career
Ali had developed an interest in boxing at the age of 12 when his bike was stolen and he entered into a frenzy of fury at the crime scene. Clay was angry at the scene, and the police officer noticed it and explained to him to put the anger into boxing. Cassius associated himself with boxing coach Fred Stoner, and the duo would later win numerous titles, including six Kentucky Golden Gloves, an Amateur Athletic Junior Title, and two National Golden Gloves.
His debut came in 1954, when he won over local boxer Ronnie O'Keefe. During the final four years of his amateur career, he was trained by Chuck Bodak. His greatest accomplishment was that he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division in the 1960 Olympics in Rome as a nonprofessional. On an amateur record, he had 100 wins and 5 losses.
Muhammad Ali: Quick Insights
Full Name | Cassius Marcellus Caly Jr. |
Born | January 17, 1942 |
Died | June 3, 2016 (aged 74) |
Nationality | American |
Education | Central High School, Louisville |
Net Worth | $50 -$80 million |
Salary | $8 million per fight |
Children | Nine Children |
Relationship status | Married |
Muhammad Ali’s Net Worth
Muhammad Ali, the great American boxer and activist, was worth 50 million dollars at the time of his death in 2016.
Ali was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and started boxing when he was 12 years old. He then won the Olympic gold in 1960. His unusual combination of speed, power, and charisma, as he said in his most popular quote float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, brought him fame around the globe. In 1964, he shocked the globe when he defeated Sonny Liston, and shortly after becoming a Muslim, he changed his name to Muhammad Ali.
His religious stand to avoid serving during the Vietnam War cost him his titles and several good years in boxing. In the year 1970, Ali competed in some of the most legendary fights in the sport, such as the Fight of the Century and the Rumble in the Jungle. His retirement record was 56 wins and 5 losses. Outside the ring, Ali also turned into a social icon of civil rights, belief, and strength. Although he later in life contracted Parkinson's disease, he continued to do humanitarian work, including the memorable time when he lit the Olympic flame in 1996. Ali died at the age of 74, leaving a legacy that is way bigger than boxing.
Personal Life
Ali was married four times. He married first in August 1964 to cocktail waitress Sonji Roi and divorced in January 1966. Ali became a husband to Belinda Boyd in August 1967, and they had four children. Ali was an extramarital lover of 16-year-old Wanda Bolton in 1974 when Ali was 32. After getting married through an Islamic ceremony, the couple had two children together, but this was not a legally recognized state marriage. In 1977, he got married to Veronica Porche, and she had two children with him.
They divorced in 1986, and Ali married Yolanda Williams, who had been his close friend since 1964. They adopted a son. Ali had a daughter named Laila who was a professional boxer between 1999 and 2007.
Professional Boxing Career
Following the Olympics, Clay went back to Louisville, and he started his career in the field. His debut was a winning one, made on October 29th, 1960, and he remained unconquered in the 3 years that followed, of which 15 of the 19 matches were finished by knockout. This was attributed to the strange style of boxing by Clay. Boxers of that height and physique typically relied on keeping their hands up to guard the face, whereas Clay relied on his speed to evade hits and held his hands low. He soon started to make a name for himself.
His announcement of which round his fellow boxer would fall did not go amiss seven times. More than this, he also started taunting his opponents in the run-up to every match. Before too long, Cassius had been the best candidate to face Sonny Liston, who was already the champion. Although Clay had an incredible record, he still entered the fight as an underdog. Eventually, Clay defeated Liston and was the youngest fighter ever to wrest the title out of the hands of a heavyweight champion at the age of 22.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the net worth of Muhammad Ali?
The estimated net worth of Muhammad Ali is nearly $50 to $80 million. His wealth comes from his different professional fights, along with some social activities.
2. Who inherited Muhammad Ali’s money?
Muhammad Ali is thought to have prepared a will, along with other estate planning documents, designating his fourth wife, Lonnie, as the overseer of his estate.
3. Was Muhammad Ali rich?
Though $50 million may seem modest, considering Ali retired 35 years earlier and faced rising medical costs from Parkinson’s, it’s remarkable his estate still held that value at his death.
