Muhammad Ali is 65 on January 17!
One of the most controversial athletes of the past century, Muhammad Ali turns 65 on January 17.
Muhammed Ali changed the face of boxing forever - re-energizing heavyweight boxing in the 1960’s and creating a whole new dimension to sport celebrity complex. Mixing entertainment with the brutality of the boxing ring, Ali was successful in creating a caricature of himself that continues to mystify today.
Clayton Goodwin , author writes: Muhammad Ali restored credibility to professional boxing. He defended his title frequently and against the best opponents available. Nearly all his predecessors had found ways of avoiding potential challengers who were unacceptable because of their lifestyle, their connections or their talent. As the first champion in well over 50 years to put his crown on the line outside the USA, as much as inside, Ali took the sport, and his own ability, to the world.”
Boxers rarely declared their views on politics or religion. It was frowned upon and Ali’s prose and ability to express his true feelings about such taboo subjects would eventually cost him the world heavyweight title in 1967. Muhammad Ali refused to be drafted to fight in the Vietnam War declaring: “I got nothing against no Viet Cong. No Vietnamese ever called me a nigger.” It later became known that the FBI regularily recorded phone conversations between Martin Luther King and Ali.
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, your hands can’t hit what your eyes can’t see”.
Muhammad Ali’s words were as nasty as his fists. Check this clip - Howard Cosell vs Muhammad Ali: