Muhammad Ali became a boxer because his bike was stolen
Muhammad Ali was born in Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. January 17, 1942 — June 3, 2016. He was an American professional boxer, activist, and philanthropist. His nickname was “The Greatest”. He is widely regarded as one of the most respectable and famous sports figures of the 20th century and as one of the greatest boxers of all time.
His dream was to have a bicycle just like all the children.
But he was a son of poor signwriter, so Cassius waited a little long for his dream.He waited until 12 years old. Such a popular and expensive toy could not be so easily in the poorest family of the town. But signwriter Marsellus wanted to see his son happy, and he bought a Schwinn for son’s 12th birthday with money which he made so hard.
When Cassius saw the bicycle, he started to cry. But the reason for his crying was not happiness. Such a wonderful bicycle would not have long life in that poor town. He understood that the bicycle will be stolen, and that is why he cried. Cassius could not enjoy that moment.
Soon, the thing that he thought in his mind came true. His Schwinn brand bicycle has been stolen. Cassius was furious. He went to the police immediately. He told to the police officer Joe Martin that his bicycle has been stolen. He did not just report it, also he said that he would “whop” the thief when they found out it. Joe Martin did not like this idea.
Police officer Martin also had a sport hall. He suggested to Cassius: “İf you want, then come and let me teach you box. And when you find that thief you can fight with thief…” and sport history and Cassius’ life would be changed with this offer.
Six weeks after he started training with Joe Martin, Clay fought and won his first competition. Over the next few years of his training, Martin became more and more impressed, not only with Clay’s speed and strength but even more by his mental quickness and his ability to take a punch without the twin dangers of getting mad or going into a panic.
In high school, Clay became a very successful amateur boxer. He won six Kentucky Golden Gloves Championships and two nationals. Clay only had 100 wins and 8 losses when he had graduated. Throughout the 1950s, he also appeared on a local television program Tomorrow’s Champions. He was paid four dollars for each televised match.
Then, shortly after graduation, he won a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics in light-heavy-weight boxing. He decided to turn pro In 1964, Ali failed at the Armed Forces qualifying test because his writing and spelling skills were inadequate.
In early 1966, the tests were revised and Ali was reclassified 1A. He refused to serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as a fair objector, because “War is against the teachings of the Holy Koran. I’m not trying to dodge the draft. We are not supposed to take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or The Messenger. We don’t take part in Christian wars or wars of any unbelievers.” Ali also famously said, “I ain’t got no quarrel with those Vietcong” and “no Vietcong ever called me nigger.” He refused to respond to the name Clay Cassius. After this decision, Ali’s personal life was filled with controversy.
Ali was essentially banned from fighting in the United States and forced to accept bouts abroad for most of 1966. In 1970, Ali was finally able to get a boxing license. He was given a license to box in Georgia with the help of a State Senator because it was the only state in America without a boxing commission.
In October 1970, he returned to stop Jerry Quarry on a cut after three rounds. Shortly after the Quarry fight, the New York State Supreme Court came to a decision that Ali was wrongly denied a boxing license. Once again when he was able to fight in New York, he fought Oscar Bonavena at Madison Square Garden on December 1970. After a tough 14 rounds, Ali stopped Bonavena in the 15th, paving the way for a title fight against Joe Frazier.
Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the early 1980s. Ali’s doctors did not agree during the 1980s and 1990s about whether his symptoms were caused by boxing and whether or not his condition was degenerative. Despite the doctors’ opinion, he was ultimately diagnosed with Pugilistic Parkinson’s syndrome.
By late 2005 it was reported that Ali’s condition was notably worsening. Muhammad Ali died on 3 June 2016, from a respiratory illness, a condition that was complicated by Parkinson’s disease.