Muhammad Ali, one of the most talented heavyweight champions of all time,was a charismatic and controversial figure who played a significant role in race relations, raising social consciousness with regard to the Vietnam War and social change. As a boxer, he was one of the fastest heavyweight champions and an opportunistic and dangerous puncher.
The Upset
Muhummad Ali began his professional career in 1960 after winning Olympic gold as a light heavyweight boxer. He emerged as the No. 1 contender in the heavyweight division and was given a title shot against powerful champion Sonny Liston in 1964. Known at the time as Cassius Clay, Ali was an 8-1 underdog in the fight. Few boxing experts thought he would be able to stay in the ring with the ponderous Liston. However, Ali used his speed in the ring and fast hands to confound Liston. Ali was able to get in five or six punches to every punch that Liston threw, and when Liston was unable to get off his stool for the start of the seventh round, Ali was the heavyweight champion of the world.
Career Prime
After becoming heavyweight champion, Ali rattled off several title defenses that underscored his talent. Ali defeated accomplished fighters such as George Chuvalo, Henry Cooper, Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams and Ernie Terrell with ease. In those fights, Ali demonstrated his speed, boxing ability and power. Many boxing authorities recognized Ali's talent in the ring and compared him with Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano as being among the all-time best in the sport. Ali was stripped of his title in 1967 because he refused to be drafted into the U.S. military. Ali had no interest in fighting in the Vietnam War, and his well-publicized refusal to be inducted galvanized him as a leading anti-war protest figure. That had not been Ali's intention.
Joe Frazier Trilogy
Ali had his boxing license reinstated in 1970 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Ali's refusal to be inducted into the U.S. Army was justified based on religious reasons. After a warmup fight with hard-punching Jerry Quarry, Ali met Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 1971. Frazier had taken the heavyweight title during Ali's absence and this bout was billed as the "Fight of the Century" by promoters. Frazier could not match Ali's quickness and speed in the ring. He also was no match for Ali's verbal skills and he was taunted in a mean-spirited manner by Ali. But Frazier was the harder puncher and he emerged with the victory after recording a unanimous decision. Frazier caught Ali with a vicious left hook in the 15th round and knocked him down with the punch to cement the victory. Ali won a rematch in 1974. That fight was not a title fight because Frazier had previously been knocked out by George Foreman, but it set the stage for Ali to get a title shot. Ali defeated Foreman in a monumental upset. That set the stage for the third of the bouts with Frazier in 1975. In that fight, Ali dominated the early going with his speed and razor-sharp punches, but Frazier took over in the middle and rocked Ali with a series of power punches from rounds 6 through round 11. After that, Ali managed to rally and close out the fight by closing Frazier's eyes with his punches. Frazier's corner refused to let him fight in the 15th round because he could not defend himself. An exhausted Ali held on to his title.
Career Stats and Retirement
Ali finished his career with a 56-5 record. He was voted the No. 3 athlete of the 20th century by ESPN, behind Michael Jordan and Babe Ruth. Ali seemed to lose much of his speed and quickness after the third Frazier fight. He lost three of his last four fights and retired from the ring in 1981 after suffering a loss to journeyman Trevor Berbick. After his career ended, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984. The trauma he suffered in the ring from absorbing head punches was blamed for his condition.
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