February 19, 2019 ▸ History, People

Episode 368: Muhammad Ali: The Greatest of All Time!

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we hit you with some information on the Greatest of all Time—Muhammad Ali! He was born as Cassius Marcellus Clay in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. This put him at the heart of racial inequality in America, and as the grandson of freed slaves, he grew up knowing the racism that was so pervasive at that time. Living in a poor neighborhood, one day he got his bicycle stolen, and he swore to the police officer that he was going to get revenge. The cop told him he needed to learn how to fight first, and a legend was born.

The cop, Joe Martin, was a boxer and trainer and started Cassius off, eventually handing him off to trainer Chuck Bodak. He trained hard and won several golden gloves and other awards and was good enough to qualify for the 1960 Olympics in Rome. There, he won the gold and came back as a national hero. He started his professional boxing career immediately after, and within a few years, he met Malcolm X and joined the Nation of Islam. Eventually, he changed his name to Muhammad Ali, and he shook up the world.

He was someone that everyone wanted to watch because of his gift of gab. His quotes, quips, insults, and one liners were famous and incredible. However, his skill at the sweet science of boxing was what kept him rising through the ranks. He fought some of the most legendary bouts of all time: his victory over Sonny Liston, the Rumble in the Jungle with George Foreman, and the Thrilla From Manilla with Joe Frazier.

However, his fortunes turned when he found himself in legal trouble when he refused to join the army after he was drafted in Vietnam. Muhammad Ali was unable to box for three years until the legal issues were settled. His fight against the US government lead to him being dragged into a secret operation code-named “Minaret.” Also, his Fight of the Century with Joe Frazier was the cover needed to blow the lid off the FBI COINTELPRO conspiracy. Eventually, the champ slowed down to Parkinson’s Disease, and he turned his eye to philanthropy and helping others. He passed away in 2016, but he remains…the greatest of all time!