After his bike was stolen at the\u00a0Louisville Home Show, an exhibition for black businesses. A stranger suggested he contacts a policeman, Joe Martin at the nearby Columbia gym. In his autobiography,\u00a0The Greatest it states: \u201cI ran downstairs crying but the sights and sounds and smell of boxing excited me so much that I almost forgot about the bike.\u201d As Ali left, Martin tapped him on the shoulder. \u201cBy the way, we got boxing every night, Monday through Friday, from six to eight. Here\u2019s an application in case you want to join.\u201d<\/p>\n
His fear of flying almost saw him not making it to the Olympics. After winning a gold medal which he later threw into the Ohio River, saying:\u00a0\u201cA few minutes earlier I had fought a man almost to death because he had wanted to take it from me \u2026 now I had thrown it in the river. And I felt no pain and regret. Only relief, and a new strength.\u201d<\/p>
Muhammad Ali’s birth name is\u00a0Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. His interest in Black Muslims\u00a0 began in 1959 when he saw a man in Louisville selling newspapers shouting: \u201cMuhammad speaks! Read it!\u201d In 1961, after visiting a temple he was submerged in the religion, he loved the Muslims for their strength. Days before his fight with Liston, his father confirms his son has joined the nation of Islam.<\/p>\n
Ali’s refusal in joining the US Army resulted in him being stripped of his heavyweight title and being banned from boxing. Fighting in the war went against his religious beliefs, asking the question “How can I kill somebody when I pray five times a day for peace.\u201d In June 1970 is when the supreme court ruled Ali could fight again.<\/p>
Ali lost his title to\u00a0Leon Spinks, not one of his best fights. A few months later he came back and won the rematch, making him the first man to hold the heavyweight belt for the third time. Ali was now 36 way beyond fighting age and promised to retire saying:\u00a0\u201cI suffered and sacrificed more than I ever did. There\u2019s nothing left for me to gain by fighting.<\/p>\n
Source: The Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n