Guide Note

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay in 1960 is a well known former professional boxer and heavyweight champion. He was an activist during the Vietnam War, and coined the phrase, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee".

Fast Facts

1. Born: January 17, 1942
2. Place of Birth: Louisville, Kentucky
3. Nickname: The Greatest
4. Height: 6 feet 3 inches
5. Weight: 186-236 pounds
6. Total fights: 61
7. Wins: 56
8. Wins by KO (knock out): 37
9. Losses: 5
10. Number of world titles: 9
11. Olympic Games: Gold, 1960 Rome, light heavyweight boxing
12. Married four times and has seven daughters and two sons
13. Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, 1986
14. Inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, 1983 as a charter member
15. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
16. His daughter is boxer Laila Ali

Muhammad Ali beat more top contenders and boxing champions than any other heavyweight champion. He defeated heavyweight legends such as Sonny Liston (two times), Floyd Patterson (two times), Ernie Terrell, Larry Holmes, Trevor Berbick, Sonny Banks, Jimmy Ellis, Ken Norton (two times), Joe Frazier (two times), George Foreman, and Leon Spinks. Ali also defeated light-heavyweight champs like Archie Moore and Bob Foster along with European heavyweight champions Henry Cooper, Karl Mildenberger, Jurgin Blin, Joe Bugner, Richard Dunn, Jean-Pierre Coopman, Alfredo Evangelista and British and commonwealth king Brian London.

When Muhammad Ali reached the age of 40 he started to show signs of illness, some thought he was suffering from symptoms known as "punch drunk" syndrome, an ailment suffered by boxers from years of blows to the head. In 1984 Ali was diagnosed Parkinson's disease, an illness of the nervous system. Ali says "I feel fine, I'm older and fatter, but we all change." ¹

Muhammad Alis fighting style was first described as "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee". Ali went on to use the phrase to taunt his opponents, which he revised to say "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee," "Your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see."

1. "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."
2. "I am an astronaut of boxing. Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey were just jet pilots. I'm in a world of my own."
3. "At home I am a nice guy - but I don't want the world to know. Humble people, I've found, don't get very far."
4. "When you're as great as I am, it's hard to be humble."
5. "It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up."
6. "Sonny Liston is too ugly to be world heavyweight champion!."
7. "On Henry Cooper, "If he talks some jive, I'll knock him out in round five."
8. "I'm soooooooooooooooooo pretty!!!"
9. "I'm gonna float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, George can't hit what his eyes can't see, now you see me, now you don't, he thinks he will but I know he won't."
10. "I don't admire nobody but Elvis Presley. He was the sweetest most humble and nicest man you'd ever meet."