A boxer was born on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, USA. All over the world it is difficult to meet a person who is not even interested in boxing, who does not know who Mohammed Ali is. At the mention of his name, any person has an image of a dark-skinned boxer hovering over the ring like a “butterfly”. Ali’s fighting style is known and recognizable, his invulnerability and skill are only admired. The number of fights conducted by this boxer with the strongest athletes at that time is worthy of the highest degree of respect.
The beginning of a professional career
Statistics of the battles of Muhammad Ali in the amateur ring: 105 fights, in 100 of them he won. After a bright and unconditional triumph at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Mohammed Ali, who at that time was named Cassius Marcellus Clay, goes into professional boxing. In the same year, in October, he holds his first fight against Tanya Hansaker and wins him by unanimous decision on points.
In the next fight against Herb Siler, the judges record Ali's victory. Then his opponent was Jimmy Robinson, whom Mohammed Ali knocked out. Over 3 years, Ali won 19 battles, and each triumph was bright and confident. In boxing, the statistics of fights of Muhammad Ali at a young age is one of the best.
Statistics of professional fights and the most significant fights
In the professional ring, the statistics of the battles of Muhammad Ali are as follows: spent 61 fights, of which 56 won, and 37 ended by knockout. The most important fights were against such famous boxers:
- Doug Jones.
- Sonny Liston.
- Floyd Patterson.
- Cleveland Williams.
- Joe Fraser
- Jerry Quary.
- George Foreman.
- Trevor Berbick
All the statistics of the battles of Muhammad Ali do not end with these greatest fights, he had enough other serious performances.
Champion title fight and rematch
After a points victory in March 1963 over Doug Johnson, Cassius Clay began preparations for the first fight for the world title against current title holder Sonny Liston. In 1964, Clay was fully prepared for the battle, both physically and technically, he longed for victory. But in fact, most experts did not believe in the triumph of the young boxer. Sonny Liston before this fight managed to beat the idol of Cassius - Floyd Patterson.
The start of the battle was equal in strength, Cassius Clay moved very well and treated his opponent with quick strokes. Towards the end of the fourth round, Clay began to dominate the fight. Sonny Liston was able to withstand another 2 rounds, and at 6 refused to continue the fight. This fight was the final for Cassius Clay. In all further battles, the champion will appear under the name Mohammed Ali. Boxing experts recognized the fight between Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston as the fight of the year; later, he was awarded the title of fight of the decade. Ali became the heavyweight champion. But soon Liston tried to take revenge.
The battle, which took place in May 1965, was the first for Muhammad Ali under a new name. Oddly enough, but fans and experts again preferred Liston. And again they were mistaken. This became clear two minutes after the start of the fight, when Mohammed knocked out Sonny with an accurate blow. He did not leave any chances to the opponent and defeated Liston again, retaining the belt of the world champion.
Fights with Joe Fraser
In 1971, Ali, stripped of all ranks due to refusal to serve in the army, met with reigning champion Joe Fraser. Mohammed in this fight could not do anything to Joe and lost by technical knockout. In January 1974, a revenge took place, and Ali was on top, he built the right tactics of warfare and in the 2nd round sent Fraser to the knockdown. The fight could be stopped, but it lasted 12 rounds and Ali deservedly won. A year later, they will have a third, final duel, but before Mohammed faced the most difficult fight in his career.
Rumble in the Jungle
This fight is considered one of the most significant in world boxing history. In 1974, the legendary George Foreman came to battle in Zaire , whose track record included 40 fights and 40 victories, 37 knockouts, and Mohammed Ali. Foreman from the first minutes began to attack swiftly and powerfully, and his advantage was undeniable. But, having withstood the onslaught, Mohammed in the eighth round made a quick combination, after which George was on the floor of the ring, and the battle ended in victory for Mohammed Ali. He accomplished the impossible, was able to defeat the indestructible Foreman and regain the title of world champion. In the statistics of the battles of Muhammad Ali in the history of this fight is the most difficult.
"Thriller in Manila"
That was the name of the third and decisive battle between Mohammed and Fraser, held in October 1975 in the capital of the Philippines, Manila. The two great boxers were no longer so fast, but the fight was very spectacular. They practically did not leave their seats and showered each other with a hail of heavy blows. The fight lasted until the 14th round, and Fraser developed a severe hematoma in the eye, after which the battle was stopped. Mohammed Ali won again. It is noteworthy that this fight in 1996 was recognized as the best fight in the history of boxing. The statistics of the battles of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier - 3: 1 in favor of the first.
Retirement
After the greatest fights, the “king of the ring” still held fights, but there were no more such ones. In 1981, Ali had a final fight with Trevor Berbik. Mohammed Ali was 38 years old, and he lost on points, after which he announced the end of his sports career. He was already seriously ill at that time, Parkinson's disease progressed.
Ali also fought a mixed martial arts fight against Kanji Inoki. The statistics of Muhammad Ali in a fight without rules is not very good, he could not go up to the opponent, and he hit him in the legs, while lying down. In general, no one liked the fight, and he did not participate anywhere else.
In 2016, the third of June, the greatest boxer in the history of boxing died at the age of 74. He changed boxing and remained in history forever as the most legendary boxer on earth. His contribution to both sport and life in general cannot be overestimated; he is a legend! The statistics of the battles of Muhammad Ali confirm this.