Posted by Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., better known as Muhammad “The Greatest” Ali, was a philanthropist, social activist, and of course heavy weight boxing champ of the world. 🌎
Ali was an inspiration to the sports world, but his visions were so much greater than boxing. His philanthropic work reached all across the world. He hand-delivered food and medical supplies to places in need such as the Harapan Kita Hospital for children in Indonesia, Morocco, and many other regions across the world. Ali supported many organizations in the United States, including The Cradle, Make-A-Wish-Foundation, and The Special Olympics. Just three years after his retirement from boxing, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. His diagnosis prompted him to start a “Fight Night” which raised money for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Research Center at Barrow Neurological Institute, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Outspoken and steadfast in his beliefs, Muhammad Ali refused to be drafted in the Vietnam war.
If I thought the war was going to bring freedom and equality to 22 million of my people they wouldn’t have to draft me, I’d join tomorrow. I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs. So I’ll go to jail, so what? We’ve been in jail for 400 years.
Muhammad Ali
His boxing career was on hold for almost four years due to his refusal to being inducted into the Army. He was convicted of alluding the war and sentenced to 5 years in prison, but remained free on bail. Four years had passed before his conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court.
Muhammad “The Greatest” Ali was a renowned heavy weight boxing champion and was light on his feet. In 1960 he earned a spot on the US Olympic boxing team and won his first gold medal by defeating Zbigniew Pietrzkowski of Poland. He returned to the United States a reigning champ. Four years later, he went on to win the world heavyweight boxing title against Sonny Liston. After his suspension from boxing for refusing military duty Ali won the heavyweight title two more times during the 70’s. He was a beast in the ring, ending his career with an impressive 56-win record out of 61 fights.
Guest writer:
Loretta Grant.
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