Muhammad Ali: A Tragic Hero

Muhammad Ali also known as “The Greatest” was an african american boxer in the 1960s. He was mostly known for how amazing of a boxer he was but even more so for what he did outside of the ring. Many people saw Ali as a controversial figure and others saw him as a hero. On January 17, 1942 in Louisville Kentucky Cassius Clay was born. He would grow up to be one of the most infamous boxers in history. He would change his name to Muhammad Ali and directly associated himself with the muslim religion. Many people did not like this and he was criticized for it. However, he had such a significant impact for both african american rights and muslim rights. Ali was always the greatest in all of his pursuits during his lifetime. He is both beloved and

Ali had all the odds stacked against him. He was not the tallest, he did not have an amazing reach, he came from a small town. For Ali to become the greatest he had to never give up. Ali would refuse not to give up in just the ring but in life. Ali was an avid civil rights activist and would never give up in his pursuits for equality. Ali would push himself everyday and never give up. His entire life he never gave up. As a young boy he would work and work to become a better boxer. Then when he was a boxer he used his platform and fan base to help create change. Even when the world told him no, he would not give up. Perhaps his first display to the world of his ability to never give up was on in February of 1964 where Ali fought Sonny Liston. Liston was and is still thought to be one of the greatest boxers of all time as well. The first match that they had Ali won in the 7th round. Then in the next match Ali won by a knockout. Even more special, the knockout came in the first round. He proved the world that with hardwork and dedication to your craft a person can accomplish anything. "Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the