What Sports Did Muhammad Ali Play?
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Did you know that Muhammad Ali was not just a world-famous boxer? He was also an Olympian! Here’s a look at the sports Ali competed in during his lifetime.
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Boxing
Won the world heavyweight championship three times
Muhammad Ali was an American boxer who was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17th, 1942. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. He first gained attention as a teenager when he won the Golden Gloves championship in 1960. When he turned pro, he quickly rose through the ranks and became world heavyweight champion in 1964. He then defended his title nine times over the next three years, including a historic victory over Sonny Liston in 1965.
In 1967, Ali was drafted into the military during the Vietnam War. He refused to be drafted and was stripped of his title. He was then banned from boxing for three years. During this time, he spoke out against the war and became a symbol of the anti-war movement. In 1970, he was allowed to fight again and he quickly regained his title with a knockout victory over George Foreman in 1974. He then retired from boxing in 1979 but made a brief comeback in 1980. He finally retired for good in 1981 with a record of 56 wins and 5 losses.
Considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time
Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.; January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer, activist, and philanthropist. He is nicknamed “The Greatest” and is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century and as one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Baseball
Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., was an American boxer, activist, and philanthropist. He is nicknamed “The Greatest” and is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century. Ali was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, and began training as a boxer at age 12. At 18, he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.
Played for the Chicago White Sox farm team
Muhammad Ali was a world-renowned heavyweight boxer, but did you know that he also played baseball? In the early 1960s, before he started his professional boxing career, Ali played for the Chicago White Sox farm team. He was a left-handed pitcher and had a promising future in baseball, but he decided to focus on boxing instead.
Football
Muhammad Ali is best known as a heavyweight boxer who became the first and only three-time lineal world champion. He is also known for his political and social activism, which led to him being banned from boxing for three years and being arrested and jailed. However, few people know that Muhammad Ali also played football.
Was drafted by the Baltimore Colts
In May of 1967, the NFL draft was held and Muhammed Ali was selected in the fifth round by the Baltimore Colts. He had played football in high school and was a running back. He never played for the Colts as he was banned from boxing for three years due to his refusal to be drafted into the military.
Track and Field
Muhammad Ali was an American professional boxer, activist, and philanthropist. Nicknamed “The Greatest”, Ali was involved in several historic boxing matches. As an athlete, he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.
Won two gold medals in the Olympics
Muhammad Ali was an American track and field athlete who won two gold medals in the Olympics. He was also a professional boxer, and he is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.
