Sers' blog: Video. In the memory of Muhammad Ali - 'The Greatest of All Time'. The best fights 1960-1965 ... 18 PHOTOS

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Video. In the memory of Muhammad Ali - 'The Greatest of All Time'. The best fights 1960-1965

18 PHOTOS

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Muhammad Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr) - an American professional boxer, generally regarded as the most significant heavyweight in the history of the sport.

He is known as one of the most recognized sports figures of the past 100 years. Muhammad Ali was named as "Sportsman of the Century" by Sports Illustrated and "Sports Personality of the Century" by the BBC.

Born: January 17, 1942, Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Died: June 3, 2016, Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Reach 78 in (198 cm)

Boxing records.

As professional:

Total fights 61
Wins 56
Wins by KO 37
Losses 5
Draws 0

As amateur:

The Light Heavyweight gold medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.
Cassius Clay's amateur record was 100 wins with five losses.

Ali remains the only three-time lineal world heavyweight champion; he won the title in 1964, 1974, and 1978. Between February 25, 1964, and September 19, 1964, Ali reigned as the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion. He was nicknamed - "The Greatest".
The new champion soon renounced Cassius Clay as his "slave name" and said he would be known from then on as Muhammad Ali — bestowed by Nation of Islam founder Elijah Muhammad. He was 22 years old.

Ali was involved in several historic boxing matches, which became legendary. Among these matches were the first Liston fight, three with rival Joe Frazier, and "The Rumble in the Jungle" with George Foreman.

Ali successfully defended his title six times, including a rematch with Liston.
In 1967, during the Vietnam War, Ali was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army. He refused to serve because the war did not comport with his faith, and that he had "no quarrel" with America's enemy, the Vietcong. He was stripped of his boxing title, convicted of draft evasion and sentenced to five years in prison. Ali was released on appeal but still unable to compete in boxing.

Only in June 1971 the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the conviction. Then Ali returned a boxing license. After return, his first fight was with Jerry Quarry, whom he beat. Six months later he lost to Joe Frazier in a 15-round "the fight of the century". It was Ali's first defeat as a professional boxer.

He returned the champions title after fight with George Foreman on October 30, 1974 in a fight in Zaire named "The Rumble in the Jungle". It was a historic performance in the ring from Ali. He introduced a new strategy dubbed the "rope-a-dope," goading the favored Foreman into attacking him, then leaning back into the ropes in a defensive stance and waiting for Foreman to tire. Ali then went on the attack, knocking out Foreman in the eighth round. His tactic has been copied by many other famous boxers.

Ali successfully defended his title until 1978, when he was beaten by a young Leon Spinks, and then quickly took it back. He retired in 1979, when he was 37, but, seeking to replenish his dwindling personal fortune, returned in 1980 for a title match against Larry Holmes, which he lost.

Ali fought one last time on December 11, 1981 in Nassau against Trevor Berbick, losing a ten-round decision.
Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome in 1984.

Even as his health gradually declined, Ali performed a lot of humanitarian work - travelled to Lebanon in 1985 and Iraq in 1990 to seek the release of American hostages. In 1996, he lit the Olympic flame in Atlanta. He continued to be one of the most recognizable people in the world. He met with presidents, royalty, heads of state, the Pope.

After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74.

Read also our articles about Muhammad Ali:

Muhammad Ali was taken to hospital

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, some stories.

Young Cassius Clay

Muhammad ali knocks out Liston.

Muhammad Ali Vs Sonny Liston. 1965 Second meeting.

Muhammad Ali (R)

Muhammad Ali – The Greatest

Muhammad Ali (L)

Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier

1960s Olympic light-heavyweight medal winners Cassius Clay, centre right, Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, far right, Giulio Saraudi of Italy and Anthony Madigan of Australia, who both took bronze.