Muhammad AliThe Greatest of all Time

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Muhammad Ali was born to Cassiusand Odessa Clay in Louisville, Ken-tucky on January 17th, 1942. He wasnamed after his father Cassius Marcel-lus Clay, Sr., but would later take on anew name - Muhammad Ali.

At the age 12 in October of 1954,young Cassius and a friend rode theirbicycles to the Columbia Auditoriumthat was hosting the Louisville HomeShow. Cassiusʼ red and white Schwinnbicycle was stolen while the boys wereinside enjoying the show. A tearful Cas-sius sought help from a policemannamed Joe Martin. As he was walkingaway from Martin, he declared “When Ifind out who stole my bike, I’m goingto whoop him.” Joe, who coached aboxing program for youths said if he

wanted to ʻwhoopʼ someone he bettercome to the gym and learn how. Martin

became Clayʼs first coach, coachinghim through 108 bouts, twoNational AAU Light-heavyweight ti-tles and Six Kentucky GoldenGloves before he was 18, which ledhim to the 1960 Olympics in Romewhere he won a Gold Medal for theUnited States.

The young athlete, after returningwith the Olympic Gold Medal,signed a deal to start his profes-sional career with the LouisvilleSponsoring Group made up of 10local businessmen. His profes-sional career took off, with Clay win-ning 19 professional fights. One ofthose signature fights was withHenry Cooper, the Europeanheavyweight champion in London.Cooper knocked Ali down with a left

hook. Although dazed, Ali got upand made it to the bell. As hiscoach tried to bring him out of thedaze, he noticed Aliʼs gloves were abit torn and called for replacements,which gave Ali extra time to recu-perate. Ali went on to win the fightbecause Cooperʼs eye was bleed-ing so badly the referee stopped thefight in the 5th round. After the fight,Sonny Liston, the reigning cham-pion, had his manager Jack Niloncome up to Clayʼs camp and say,“I've flown three thousand miles totell you we're ready.” Clay finallyhad a chance to fulfill his destiny, ashot at the Heavyweight Title.

On February 25th, 1964, Clay, the 8 to 1 underdog challenger took on a pur-portedly ʻinvincibleʼ Sonny Liston. In the build up to the fight, Clay became fa-mous for his unrelenting big mouth. People thought he was crazy, but he hadhis own strategy and it worked. Clay even went to the “big ugly bearʼs” den(as he liked to call Liston) calling him a coward and a bum through a bullhornfrom his bus. Clay went on with his taunts, “I’m going to haunt you until youfight me.” The heat between the two escalated even further when Ali ap-proached Liston while playing craps at a casino and started taunting him again.Liston drew a gun, (though it wasnʼt actually real) which temporarily relievedhim of his tormentor, at least for that night.

A crazy eyed Clay recited his predictions to the press: “For those of youwho won’t be able to see the Clay / Liston Fight. Here’s the eighth round ex-actly as it will happen: Clay comes out to meet Liston, and Liston starts toretreat. If Liston goes back an inch farther, he'll end up in a ringside seat.Clay swings with his left and Clay swings with his right, Look at young Cas-sius carry the fight. Liston keeps backing, but there's not enough room. It'sa matter of time 'till Clay lowers the boom. Now Liston disappears from view,the crowd is getting frantic, but our radar stations have picked him up, heis somewheres over the Atlantic! Liston's still rising, the ref wears a frown. For he can't start counting 'til Sonny comes down. Who would havethought, when they came to the fight, that they'd witness the launching, ofa human satellite?” Ali, the consummate promoter, could talk the talk like noother before or after, he rapped before there was rap. “If you like to lose yourmoney, then be a fool and bet on Sonny but if you want to have a good day thenput it on Clay.”

The ʻSports Press Godsʼ didnʼt give Clay a chance with 43 of 46 predictingClay would lose. Clay didnʼt even put his arms up to block like a ʻgoodʼ fightershould. Instead he swayed his torso back and to the side to avoid punches.They predicted an easy defeat for Liston, which seemed to fuel Clay whothrived on proving them wrong. As the fight progressed Clay began to emergeas the winner but suddenly in the fourth round Clay became mysteriouslyblinded by a toxic substance. After the round, Angelo Dundee, Clayʼs managerput his pinky in the corner of his boxerʼs eye and touched it to his own. Sureenough there was something very caustic in his eye, which Dundee feverishlytried to flood out with water and towels. It turns out that two of Listonʼs previousopponents also had been subject to this underhanded trick. Dundee, the sea-

soned coach, made sure the ref-eree didnʼt stop the fight and sentClay back in for the next round.Dundee said, “The last instructionsI gave him was - Run!” Clay kept hisdistance until his eyes recovered.Liston continued to throw his mightyleft hook in vain as he could neverseem to connect with the youngfighter. Clay took him down with allof the style of his famous phrase, “Float like a butterfly andsting like a bee.”

Legends inOur Time Muhammad Ali

“The Greatest”by John Carrieri

™

8 April / May 2007 U. The National College Magazine

Presents

“Aint he ugly? He’s too ugly to be theworld champ. The

world champ shouldbe pretty like me.”

- Ali

I Shook up the World

Young Clay with trainer AngeloDundee. AP Photo - Dan Grossi

Young Clay at 12 AP Photo

Olympic Village, Rome 1960 AP

Welcome to the third edition of ʻLegends In Our Timeʼ, aseries dedicated to celebrating extraordinary individualsduring their lifetimes and ours, who have excelled in theirfields and left a unique, exceptional and distinctive markthat forever changed their discipline and our lives.Muhammad Ali is certainly such a Legend. He is the onlyman to win the Heavyweight World Title three times and isconsidered the greatest boxer of all time. With hischarisma, with his principles, and with his actions he tran-scended the sport to become not only “Sportsman of theCentury,” but one of the greatest humans of all time.

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U. The National College Magazine April / May 2007 9

By the end of the sixthround, puffy-eyed with abroken will, Sonny hadhad enough. At the be-ginning of the 7th round,he refused to get back upout of his corner, and Claybecame the Champion ofthe World with a TKO.

The jubilant Championran to the ropes to con-front his nay-sayers –“Eat your words! Eat your words!” Later

as the press tried to inter-view him, the ecstatic anduncontrollable Champprofessed to the world, “I must be the greatest!I shook up the world!I’m the King of the World!I’m Pretty!I’m a baaaad man! I shook up the World! I shook up the world! I shook up the world!”

After the fight, the new Champ continued to revealmore surprises as he changed his name toMuhammad Ali after converting to the Nation of

Islam also known as the Black Muslims. “Cassius Clay was my slave name.I’m no longer a slave.” Many, including his parents, werealarmed by this group. They were preaching there should besegregation between blacks and whites, that whites were ʻdev-ilsʼ and many other tenuous teachings. Along with the inventorof the group, Elijah Muhammad, the group had other charis-matic leaders such as Malcolm X, who became great friendswith Ali. It might be understandable that Ali embraced this groupbecause of his disgust with continued segregation and poortreatment of blacks, but many felt the Black Muslims werepreaching hate and their own brand of racism, which was ahuge blow to Aliʼs popularity.

The Ali vs. Liston rematch was held in Lewiston, Maine onMay 25th, 1965. The fight was attended by only a few thousandfans as promoters stayed away due to the controversy sur-rounding Ali. Ali knocked out Liston in the first round with a fastpunch that became known as the Phantom punch. A famousphoto was taken of Ali standing over Liston as he yelled - “Get up you bum,no one’s going to believe this!” (see cover)

Six months later Ali took on the former champ Floyd Patterson. Ali punishedhim for 12 rounds before the referee stopped the fight in Aliʼs favor.

With the Vietnam War underway, the draft board classified Ali as 1Y becausehe did not pass the aptitude test, which meant he would not be drafted. “I said

I was the prettiest, not the smartest” re-marked Ali. However, on February 14,1966, the Army reclassified his draft statusas 1A making him eligible for draft service.Ali first heard this from the media who

were gathering around his home solicitinghis political beliefs about the Vietnam War.Surrounded by media inquires, he poppedout a statement from his heart - “I got noquarrel with those Vietcong. No Viet-cong ever called me nigger.” This state-ment was picked up and widely circulatedin the press and he was vilified for his po-sition. He was called a draft dodger evenbefore he officially refused to enter the

service and became forced to have his nextfour fights outside the U.S. including a re-match with Henry Cooper which he won in asimilar fashion as the first fight but in the sixthround. Ali left Europe somewhat of a folkhero, as for five decades Title fights had onlybeen held in the U.S. His global appeal con-tinued to grow.

Ali went on to defend his title three moretimes after the Cooper fight through March 22,1967 when he beat Zora Foley. His next chal-lenger would prove to be his toughest oppo-nent yet, the United States of America.

On April 28th, 1967 Muhammad Ali showedup as required to the Houston Induction Cen-ter for the U.S. Armed Forces. When hisname was called for him to be accepted intothe armed services, Ali stood quietly and re-fused to step forward. Ali refused to enter thewar. He refused as a conscientious objector,one who will not participate in military serviceout of religious or moral beliefs. He felt thewar was morally wrong and vowed to standbehind his convictions. “Iʼm just letting youknow that Iʼm gonna stick 1000% to my re-ligious beliefs. Even if it means dying.” Aliknew that if he were drafted, he would betreated with celebrity status and probablynever see combat, but that mattered little tohim; he would not compromise his beliefs.“Why should they ask me to put on a uni-

form and go 10,000miles from home anddrop bombs and bul-lets on brown people inVietnam while so-called negro people inLouisville are treatedlike dogs and deniedsimple human rights?” For that reason, he later threwhis Olympic Gold medal into the Ohio River in disgust atthe continued poor treatment of blacks in the UnitedStates.

The matter then moved to the U.S. Attorneyʼs office.The same day it was announced, the New York State Ath-letic Commission stripped Ali of his World HeavyweightTitle, which was followed by the rest of the state commis-

sions, effectively barring him from boxing. To add salt to the wound, the U.S.Government also stripped him of his passport so he could not work abroad.

Ali had to scrape for a living. The Anti-war sentiment was rampant at col-leges across the nation and various groups beseeched him to speak at theircampus. The legal bat-tle went on in the courtsfor over 3 years and fi-nally wound up in theU.S. Supreme Court.Ali all along said he wasgoing to fight the casewithin the rules - “I saidIʼm going to be a manand fight it legally. If Ilose it Iʼm just going tojail.” Finally on June28th, 1971, the U.S.Supreme Court rulingwas announced - aunanimous decision inAliʼs favor and allcharges were dropped.He had taken on the establishment and won.

A New Name

Uncompromising Principles

Clayʼs handlers hold him back as he reacts after the announcment of hiswin over Liston. AP Photo

“By him standing upas he did. It gave

men of us muchmore courage thanwe had; it gave usmuch more hopethan we ever hadbefore.”- BB King

"Wars of nationsare fought to

change maps. Butwars of poverty

are fought to mapchange." - Ali

Ali toys with his friend, television sportscommentator Howard Cosell. AP Photo

“All boxers would selltheir soul to become

heavyweight championof the world. What didAli do? He regained his

soul by giving it up. He gave up the title!”

- Richard Harris, Actor & Friend

Ali jogging 1972 AP Photo

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U. The National College Magazine April / May 2007 11

Ali had actually been able to fight eightmonths before the decision, in the state of

Georgia, which hadno state commis-sion. In his come-back fight, he billedhimself as the ʻPeo-pleʼs Champion.ʼHe fought JerryQuarry on Oct 26th,1970, knocking himout in the 3rd round.He then took onOscar Bonevena,who had called Ali achicken and by hisbirth name Clay.The fight lasted 15

rounds and Ali won.Next came ʻThe

Fight of the Centuryʼas it was billed, on

March 8th, 1971 against Smoking Joe Frazier. The fight was held at MadisonSquare Garden in New York City. Both Ali and Frazier were undefeated Cham-pions; however Frazier had won the Title during Aliʼs long 3 ½ year absence.The build-up to the fight was crazed and the night of the fight, the roar of thecrowd was deafening. “All of a sudden the limo crowd is there. Heʼs their heronow. Why? He beat ʻthe man.ʼ He knocked the government on its ass.” –Jerry Izenberg, Journalist. Everyone wanted to be at this fight. Frank Sinatra,who couldnʼt get ringside seats, got credentialed as a photographer for Lifemagazine so he could be front and center. The epic battle went all the way tothe 15th round. Ali started to get the edge in the beginning of the 15th round,

but Frazier clocked him with a hugeleft, sending him to the canvas. Ali al-most immediately got up, which is in-credible considering the force ofFrazierʼs punch, but the fight endedwith Frazier winning by unanimous de-cision. This was Aliʼs first professionalloss and would be the start of a life-long rivalry with Joe Frazier. Aliʼs fanbase continued to grow with both thecourage he demonstrated in the fightand in his grace in defeat.

Ali was fired up and took on twelvechallengers to get another shot at Frazier. One of those challengers, Ken Nor-ton, broke Aliʼs jaw early in the fight. Ali went on to fight for 10rounds with the broken jaw. Nothing else needs to be saidabout that. Although Ali ended up losing that fight, he foughtNorton again after his jaw healed and beat him on September30th, 1973. By the time Ali got another match with Frazier,George Foreman had won the Heavyweight Title but Ali stillneeded to beat Frazier to get to the Title fight. The secondfight dubbed ʻHeavyweight Grudge Matchʼ was on January28th, 1974, at Madison Square Garden. Ali was all businessand determined to beat Frazier. Ali continued to shine in thepre-match and executed in the ring. The fight went all 15rounds with Ali winning by unanimous decision.

Ali finally had the opportunity to take back the Title, whchwas unfairly stolen from him by the authorities. The fight wouldbe dubbed “Rumble in the Jungle” and would take place onSeptember 25th, 1974 at 3am in Zaire, Africa. George Fore-man was an undefeated, colossal fighter who had won 37 ofhis 40 fights by knockout, all within the first two rounds. Fore-man also knocked out Joe Frazier (which is when he won thetitle) and Ken Norton, both fighters with whom Ali had a hardtime fighting. The sentiments and press were again against Aliwith 7 to 1 odds that he would not only lose, but be crushed.

As usual, Ali, the consummate promoter, hyped the fight and won the heartsof the people. Ali joked that Foreman was a ʻmummyʼ with his big powerfulslow lunges. As for the people of Zaire, they loved him. From the time hestepped off the plane, they continually chanted - “Ali, bomaye Ali, bomaye!” -Swahili for “Ali, Kill him!”

Just 30 seconds into round two, Ali started to put up his arms to defendhimself, which was never his style. He leaned back against the ropes as Fore-man hammered him with lefts and rights. One, two, three, four, five, six lefthooks to Aliʼs body, as if Foreman was trying to chop down a tree. It appearedAli was in big trouble as he absorbed the onslaught, but it was all part of Aliʼsstrategy which he called ʻRope-a-Dopeʼ and his attacker continued to tire.“Beat him up the first round, beat him up the second, third, fourth, but heʼs stillthere talking to me in the fifth. ʻ(Ali) Thatʼs all you got? I said what in the worldhave I ran into?” – George Foreman Former Heavyweight Champion. At the

end of round seven, Ali told Fore-man, “Now itʼs my turn.” In theeighth round Ali hit the tired cham-pion with a one-two combinationand knocked him out for his secondwin of the Heavyweight Title.

"I figured that if I said it enough, I would

convince the world that I really was the greatest."

- Muhammad Ali

Spray flies from the head of challenger Joe Frazier as heavyweightchampion Ali connects with a right in the 9th round in their title fightin Manila, Philippines, Oct. 1, 1975. AP Photo Mitsunori Chigita

The Comeback

Rumble in the Jungle

Sports promoter don King stands betweenMuhammad Ali, left, the heavyweight championand Joe Frazier in New York. AP Photo

Challenger Muhammad Ali raises his arms in victory after defending champion George Foreman is counted out by referee. Kinshasa, Zaire. Oct. 30, 1974. AP Photo

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After defeating George Foreman, Ali fought a relatively unknown ChuckWepner. Chuck put up a good fight and lasted until the 15th round when Aliwon by TKO. Sylvester Stallone saw the match in person which is when hecame up with the idea for Rocky, which went on to win the Academy Award forbest picture of 1976. The main characters, Rocky and ʻThe Champʼ wereloosely based on Wepner and Ali respectively.

In 1975, it was time for Joe Frazier to try to take back the Title from Ali.The fight, promoted by Don King was dubbed “Thrilla in Manila.” There was agreat deal of anticipation for the final fight between the rival champions. Asusual, Ali was out front promoting with his mouth - "It'll be a killa, a chilla, athrilla, when I get the gorilla in Manila." The two fighters gave it everything theyhad as they pummeled each other for 14 rounds. Ali was announced the win-ner when Eddie Futch, Frazierʼs trainer stopped it between rounds, deciding itwasnʼt worth his fighterʼs life. Ali, who had absorbed a torrential 444 blows,later said this was the closest he ever came to death. It was a brutal battle, andis now known as the ʻgreatest fight of all time.ʼ

Ali went on to defend his Title six more times before he suffered a surpris-ing defeat to Leon Spinks. Leon Spinks had won a gold medal, but his pro-fessional experience was limited to seven fights. Ali was gracious in defeat,“Weʼre all going to lose in life. Youʼre going to lose your wife; youʼre going tolose your mother youʼre going to lose your father. We all have losses in life.The one who can really overcome their losses and just keep living and try tocome back and be successful. You canʼt go die because you lose. I did mybest.” Six months after their first fight, Ali fought and beat Leon Spinks makinghim the first man in boxing to win the Heavyweight Championship three times.

Ali retired but came back for two more fights, one with Larry Holmes and onewith Trevor Berbick, both of which he lost. Thus ended one of the most re-markable boxing careers in history. Muhammad Aliʼs final professional recordis 56 wins and 5 losses.

The grand sum of the thousands of punches, jabs and blows that he tookduring his career caused irreparable damage and contributed to the ultimatebattle he fights now against Parkinsonʼs disease. This neurological disorder im-pairs motor skills, balance and sometimes speech. It is also characterized byinvoluntary tremors, shaking of the hands, arms, legs and face. This new chal-lenger, this disease, would become the greatest challenge of his life, but as atrue champion, he would not let it stop him from his new mission.

“All my boxing. All my running around. All my publicity was just the start ofmy life. Now my life is starting. Fighting injustice, fighting racism, fightingcrime, fighting illiteracy, fighting poverty. Using this face that the world knowsso well and going out and representing truth. Boxing was just the dressingroom and the stadium is the world problems.” Today, Muhammad Ali travelsover 200 days a year, visiting hospitals and orphanages and doing exactly whathe said he would do: fighting poverty and disease, and promoting peace andharmony.

At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta,Georgia, the world was treated toMuhammad Ali lighting the torch, signify-ing the opening of the Olympic Games.It was an emotional scene for 3 billionpeople watching, as Muhammad slowlylifted the torch with his shaking hands,defying his affliction, and lit the mainOlympic torch. It was the perfect com-munion of mankind and a great symbolof human spirit.

The ceremonies were further touching asAli was given a replacement Gold Medalfor the one he had won 36 years earlier,but had thrown in the Ohio River. No onewas more deserving of this honor. A hum-ble and appreciative Ali lifted the medal tohis lips and kissed it.

This is an incredibly shortsummary of Muhammad Aliʼsamazing life and achievements.It would take nine lives of an ordinary man to even attempt tocome close to the greatness ofthis lion of a man. He alwaystried to convince us of hisgreatness, and today I believethere is no question.

12 April / May 2007 U. The National College Magazine

"Service to others is the rent you pay

for your room here on earth."

- Muhammad Ali

An Inspiration

Thrilla in Manila

Loss & Redemption“All his life he

has lit the torch.He really is a gift

to mankind atlarge. This man

spiritually represents

the essence ofhonor that shouldexist in all of us.”

– Rod Steiger,Actor

A New Mission

Ali kisses a Liberian orphan. San Pedro, Ivory Coast Aug. 20, 1997. AP Photo David Guttenfelder

Muhammad Ali lights the Olympic flame duringthe 1996 Summer Olympics. July 19th, 1996.AP Photo Michael Probst

Muhammad Ali smiles after receivinghis gold medal, which replaces the1960 gold medal he lost. Aug. 3rd.1996. AP Photo Susan Regan

Credits:DVD ʻMuhammad Ali Through the Eyes of the WorldʼDVD ʻMuhammad Ali: The GreatestʼBook ʻKing of the Worldʼ David RemnickPlayboy Interview 1975

Summer2007_Umagazine:Layout 1 4/29/07 7:16 PM Page 12

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JC: What has been the most challenging thing in your life?Ali: I think Parkinsonʼs has been very challenging to me personally, but

I have been able to use my name to raise awareness and money for research so in that sense it has also been rewarding. Parkinsonʼs has given me humility and the ability to be a better listener.

JC: What is your greatest strength?Ali: My greatest strength is my ability to forgive.

JC: What is your greatest weakness? Ali: Ice Cream – anybodyʼs ice cream.

JC: You have been known to fight hunger around the world, effectively helping to provide 232 million meals to the worldʼs hungry. Do youhave one trip that was especially memorable to you?

Ali: Every trip Iʼve taken where I delivered food to children was important and memorable because hopefully it made a difference in the lives of all those children and people I was able to help. I hope I can make more of those trips.

JC: Why did you launch your new GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) food line?Ali: A complete answer is too long for this interview. We could do an

entire story just on that subject. The long and short of it is I wantedto help offer kids and adults better choices when it came to snacking and nutrition.

JC: Whatʼs the real story regarding you losing your Gold Olympic Medal?Ali: What do you mean the real story? Itʼs somewhere in the Ohio River.

JC: How did you beat the ʻinvincibleʼ Sonny Liston in your 1st fight with him?

Ali: Two things: I psyched him out, and I was a better boxer.

JC: When you were harassing Sonny prior to the fight in a Las Vegas casino, did he really pull out a gun?

Ali: I wouldnʼt say I was harassing him. Liston was a showman, too. We generated a lot of publicity for that fight. Oh yeah, Liston pulled out a gun… a water gun.

JC: Who was your toughest competitor?Ali: Joe Frazier.

JC: What is the hardest boiiiiiing you ever took?Ali: I donʼt remember taking a boiiiiiing from anyone. I was far too fast

for that – even on my worst day. Now, if you really want to know who had the hardest punch – that would be Ernie Shavers.

JC: What do you think of the popular UFC (Ultimate FightingChampionship) which seems to be eclipsing boxing?

Ali: Iʼm not sure what I think about it because I donʼt really watch it. Is it possible that it will eclipse boxing? Anything is possible, but boxing is getting its act together. I predict a big comeback.

JC: How did you feel when you heard that in 1971, the Supreme Court ruled in your favor?

Ali: Well, I felt vindicated. I knew that I was a conscientious objector. I did not “dodge” the draft; I worked within the system. It was nota war I was going to fight in.

JC: Who do you think was the greatest President in U.S. History and why?Ali: I donʼt think that there was one single greatest president. I think that

most presidents have contributed something positive to history. Lincoln, of course, was a great president. I think Clinton was a good president. I liked him when he was President and I still like him a lot because I think he genuinely cares about all people, regardless of who they are, where they come from or how much they have.

(cont. next page)

Exclusive Ali Interview by John Carrieri

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President Ford helped us heal from Vietnam, I remember meeting him at the White House with my father. He was a smart guy.

JC: What do you think of the Iranian President Ahmadinejad? He seems to be looking for a fight with the West.

Ali: I never met him, so I canʼt offer an opinion that would be helpful.I donʼt know if he is looking for a fight with the West but I hopewe are not looking for one in Iran either.

JC: What did you feel when you lit the torch at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics? Redemption? Solidarity? Or something else?

Ali: Pride and humility.

JC: When I first met you in San Diego in 1992, you performed magic tricks for me. What intrigues you about magic?

Ali: That people can be so easily deceived by slight of hand. I always show how a trick is done because itʼs wrong to deceive people. I just want to show how easy it is, though—so people donʼt put their faith into something that isnʼt real.

JC: Can you bust out a poem for me? And I mean a good one!Ali: I will give you a short one. You will be an ordinary writer, but I will do

down in history as the greatest fighter.JC: Ouch, I see you still have your mean jab.

JC: If God told you to never again say – “Iʼm so pretty” would you,could you abide?

Ali: Of course I would and of course I could. But do you think God has a direct line to me?

JC: Do you think God will judge each individual based on their actions completely independent of race or color?

Ali: I would never try to anticipate Godʼs decisions, but I believe that God created us so why would race and color matter to Him?

JC: Are you color blind?Ali: It depends on what you mean by that. I am not a racist, but it is clear

that race is still a big issue in America today. I think itʼs sort of sad that people make assumptions and discriminate since there is absolutely nothing a person can do about their skin color. The color of a person is really God given – so if you donʼt like someoneʼs color, then what you have is a problem with Godʼs decisions. Frankly, Iʼm not that bold.

JC: Do you still carry a box of matches with you?Ali: No.

JC: In 1975, at the age of 33, in your interview with Playboy you said:“The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” How do you feel your thinking wasdiferent at age 50 than it was when you gave that interview, andhow do you think today on your 65th birthday?

Ali: When I was 30 I was at the height of my boxing career. At 50, Iʼd been out of the ring for about ten years. My last professional bout was 25 years ago. My thinking has changed a lot, as everyoneʼs does over a lifespan. If youʼre thinking doesnʼt change then you havenʼt learned anything on your journey. I think Iʼm more patient now, more content. Iʼm definitely wiser.

JC: In 1975, you said that you were trying to make the United States your home, but due to the state of civil liberties, it wasnʼt. How do you feel now and are you happy with the progress that has been made?

Ali: I think we have made progress in many areas, but I think there are many more areas that need improvement. We ought to be taking care of all of our people, especially poor people. Everyone should be able to go to the doctor when theyʼre sick, have the surgeries they need, and not worry about going bankrupt. And they shouldnʼt have todecide whether to buy their medication for the month or buy food.

I think it is a disgrace that many of our elderly are making these kinds of decisions every day. Given how much we are able to spend on wars, no one in this country should ever go to bed hungry, and every child who wants a college education should have one.

JC: What advice would you give to a young person to succeed in theircareer and in life?

Ali: You have to preserve and believe in yourself—I always tell that to people. But thatʼs not enough. You have to train and prepare for what ever it is youʼre working on—a career, a hobby, or a relationship. Just showing up and wanting it isnʼt enough; youʼve got to do thehard work first.

JC: What is the single greatest thing you want to be remembered for?Ali: In the end, thatʼs not really up to me to decide. I have lived my life

in such a way, and had so many experiences, that there will be many different ways that people remember me. I donʼt think about it a lot but I am sure it wonʼt just be a “single” thing – Iʼm sure it will be many things.

Highest honor presented by Ntnl. Assoc. of Broadcasters Education Foundationfor lifelong commitment to world peace, tolerance & human rights. June 2001

Athletic Achievements

Heavyweight Championship TitleFebruary 25, 1964 defeated Sonny Liston

September 15, 1978 defeated Leon SpinksOctober 30, 1974 defeated George Foreman

Sports Illustrated “Sportsman of the Century” December 3, 1999BBC “Sportsman of the Century” London, England December 12, 1999

Other Accomplishments

Honorary Law degree from Columbia University - 1999

Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame - 2002

Humanitarian AwardsAmnesty International’s Lifetime Achievement Award, 1992

United Nations Messenger of Peace, New York, 1998

Muhammad Ali Boulevard, Louisville, KY - 1978

International Boxing Hall of Fame, Canastoga, NY 1990

United Cerebral Palsy Humanitarian Award, March 14, 2001 New York

GQ’s “Men of Year” Courage Award - October 21, 1998

Mayor Hahn of Los Angeles proclaims January 17 Muhammad Ali Day - Jan. 02

International Ambassador of Jubilee 2000

Otto-Hahn Peace Medal for involvement in U.S. civil rights and peace efforts - Berlin, Germany 2005

Kahlil Gibran Award for efforts to combat poverty and hunger throughout the world. Washington DC, May 4, 2004

Presidential Citizens Medal awarded by President Clinton January 8, 2001 Washington DC

AAU Title Light Heavyweight 1959National Golden Gloves Title, Middleweight 1960Olympic Gold Medal for Light Heavyweight division, Rome, Italy, 1960

Awards

Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civil award.Awarded by President George W. Bush Nov. 9th 2005 Washington DC

Legends in our Time Award April 2007 San Diego

For more information about Muhammad Ali or Legends in our Time™

Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville, KY - 2002

www.legendsinourtime.com

14 April / May 2007 U. The National College Magazine

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