Muhammed Ali –

Famous Boxer or
Humanitarian

By

Shye Jenkins

English Composition II
12/7/21
Ashley Wright

WAS MUHAMMAD ALI ONLY KNOWN FOR CHANGING THE BOXING

WORLD?

Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Clay Jr. and changed the sports world by his

personality-plus attitude and self-confidence that he was able to back-up in the

ring with his quick feet and quicker hands. Boxing had never seen anyone like

Ali. (Horn-Muhammad Ali)

 HOW DID ALI BECOME A FAMOUS BOXER?

 Pictures by: Central Press/Getty Images

When Ali (then Cassius) was about 12 years old, his bike got stolen and he

wanted to find then fight the person that took his bike. He told a police officer

and the police officer told Ali that he needs to learn how to fight and he would

show him how if he came to his gym. It turned out that the officer Joe Martin’s

boxing lesson helped Ali become a six time Golden Gloves winner and then in

1960 won the national Golden Gloves heavyweight title. Later, Ali (Cassius) won

the Gold Medal in Rome. (Horn-Muhammad Ali)

Ali (then Cassius) said, many people like to say they “made me” and that’s why

I’m becoming so famous but “Who made me is me”. (Horn-Muhammad Ali)

Ali’s gift of gap made reporters and boxing fans have a love-hate relationship

with Ali, but they still wanted to see if he would win his fights. But was Ali just

about boxing or something bigger? (Dundee/Maule-Muhammad Ali)

ALI – BOXER OR HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST?

Ali finally got the fight that he wanted with then champion Sonny Liston. Ali

fought a hard fight and became the Heavy Weight Champion. The boxing world

was stunned because everyone thought Liston would win but before the reporters

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 ink dried about Ali’s championship, Ali announced that he is now a Muslim and

Ali was on 22 years old.

Less than 3 years later Ali would be drafted for the Vietnam War. Ali was in for

the fight of his life because he could be sent to jail if he refuse to go. Ali’s

beliefs as a Muslim would not let him join the Army and fight in a war that

would kill poor people or anyone. (Shrake-Muhammad Ali)

“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.” ~ Muhammad Ali

Ali was later striped of his Championship Title for refusing to join the Army but

Ali stayed true to his beliefs and did not change how he felt no matter what the

reporters or the Government thought about him. (Shrake-Muhammad Ali)

“I know I got it made while the masses of black people are catchin’ hell. But as

long they ain’t free, I ain’t free.” ~ Muhammad Ali

Ali stance on the Vietnam War was unheard of – even today. What famous

figure would give up their career and take a chance on not being able to do what

they love to do? The answer is, “not many” – especially in the 1960’s.

Ali was a head of his time, this was before protest of the Vietnam War, because

most protest about the war came after many of our soldiers came home.

Ali started a movement for not only his rights but human rights!

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 It was about 4 or 5 years later when Ali was able to fight again and he had to earn

his title back but it would not be easy. Ali had to prove himself before he could

even get a title fight with the champ, Joe Frazier. March 8 th, 1971 was when the

bout between the two undefeated heavyweights becomes way more than just

some ordinary boxing match. If you were a liberal you were rooting for Ali, if

you were a conservative you was pulling for Joe, clash of cultures. There were

people who thought Vietnam was wrong and others who thought the exact

opposite. So this fight put everyone’s viewpoints into the ring, and whoever won

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 were right. It was Ali 1st lost. (Kram-Muhammad Ali)

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 “This can’t have happened, it was impossible! It was impossible not because we

didn’t believe Joe Frazier couldn’t beat Muhammad Ali, it was impossible

because his beating him meant they were right and they couldn’t been right. And

the right wing idiots, and the hard hat guys, and the ugly Americans. They were

standing in the way of history, they were standing in the way of change, they

were on the side of wrong. So they couldn’t been right, they just couldn’t.”

~ Bryant Gumbel

“His fights meant more than just the sport of boxing. His fights were like a fight

for justice.” ~ COMMON

Ali would later fight the new champ, George Foreman, who beat Joe Frazier.

How can Ali win against someone that beat the person Ali lost too? The fight

took place in Zaire, Africa. The 1000s people of Africa was chanting, “Ali,

boom ba ye” (beat him) and Ali was humbled by how many people wanted him

to win.

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 During Ali’s stay in Africa, he spent time with many of the people of Zaire. Ali

made sure that he acknowledged the people, especially the children of Zaire.

(Plimpton-Muhammad Ali)

“Ali basically showed he could transcend the sport, he brought half of the media

across the world to Kinshasa Zaire” ~ Bryant Gumbel

It was time for the fight with Foreman and 32 year old Ali did not want to

disappoint and he did not. (RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE) No fighter had ever hit

Foreman with such force and no fighter ever took that many shots from Foreman

without falling in five. A guy known to bust open a heavy bag for a living, Ali’s

endurance was unmatched and he utilized a little strategy called rope-a-dope. He

used the ropes to move away from Foreman’s headshots but Foreman didn’t let

up on Ali’s body. Eventually Foreman slowly gassed out and then Ali took

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 advantage. Ali regained the title that was stolen from him in 1967, 7 years later in

1974. (Plimpton-Muhammad Ali)

It’s now 1975 and Ali is about to fight the man he lost his 1st fight to, Joe Frazier.

This fight is the Philippines, the “Trilla in Manila” but while Ali was in the

Philippines, he could not believe how many people were coming up to him

thanking him and one of this corner men had to remind him about his stance on

the war. Ali’s refusing to fight in Vietnam was still remembered after almost 10

years. Ali was treated like royalty in Manila, he even was greeted by the first

lady, Imelda Marcos. Ali, being a kind man, spent time with the people of the

Philippians and playing with the children while posing for pictures.

It was time for the fight with Frazier and after round 14 in over 100 degree

weather both mem were worn out, but before the bell rang for round 15, the

referee asked both fighters are they ready to fight. Frazier said, “No”, but Ali

said, “Yes” and stood up and was ready to go. The fight ended because Frazier

could not fight any longer and Ali won! (Kram-Muhammad Ali)

Ali went on the win his title again and again, all while being a humanitarian.

Ali’s reputation as a peace-loving man cemented a relation with the Dalai Lama.

Ali was also asked to carry the 1996 Olympic torch, in Atlanta, Georgia because

of his kindness for humans and his legendary career, the Olympic committee

could not think of anyone more deserving. One More Rise to the Top. (Putman-

Muhammad Ali)

“Hating people of their color is wrong and it doesn’t matter which color does the

hating” ~ Muhammad Ali

Conclusion: Was Muhammad Ali just a famous boxer or a humanitarian,

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 I believe he was both.

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 Works Cited

Muhammad Ali 1942-2016, Sports Illustrated, Tampa, FL, 2016.

Muhammad Ali: In Their Own Words.” Films On Demand, Films Media

Group, 2015, fod.infobase.com/ PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID

=19259&xtid=114664. Accessed 4 Dec. 2021.

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