How much was Muhammad Ali worth?
| Net Worth: | $40 Million |
|---|---|
| Profession: | Professional Boxer |
| Date of Birth: | January 17, 1942 (aged 74) |
| Country: | United States of America |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
About Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, a professional boxer, social activist, and philanthropist, is one of the biggest sporting names of the 20th century. Born in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, Muhammad Ali’s original name was Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. He grew up in a racially segregated South and experienced numerous instances of discrimination.
He discovered boxing purely by accident at the young age of 12 when his bike got stolen and he told the police officer, Joe Martin, that he wanted to beat the thief. Martin told him to learn how to fight before making such claims and he happened to train kids in boxing at a local gym. He took Clay under his wing and one of the most amazing sporting journeys of our time began.
Clay began his training in boxing at 12 under the tutelage of Joe Martin. His talent was obvious. He won his first fight in 1954. Then in 1956, Clay won the Golden Gloves Tournament for novices and followed that up by winning the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions 3 years later.
1960 would be the year Clay would have his first taste of universal fame. He won a spot on the Olympic boxing team and won the light heavyweight Olympic gold medal. People couldn’t stop talking about his speed and fancy footwork in the ring. He returned home a hero and soon after went professional.
With an impressive record of 56 wins and 3 losses, it is impossible to chronicle each of Clay’s matches. However, some of his fights have gone down in history as the biggest boxing matches of all time granting him unprecedented fame. We list some of the historic ones:
- He knocked out Sonny Liston in 1964 to become the heavyweight champion of the world for the first time. This was the same year in which he joined the Black Muslim group Nation of Islam and changed his name to Cassius X first before settling on Muhammad Ali.
- Ali’s 1971 boxing match with Joe Frazier has been dubbed as the “Match of The Century” by many. After a closely contested 14 rounds, Ali was handed his first loss after 31 wins in a row.
- Ali’s 1974 fight with George Foreman is a memorable showdown where Ali was, on a rare instance, seen as the underdog. He went on to defeat Foreman and reclaimed the heavyweight champion of the world title.
- Ali and Frazier locked horns in another epic showdown in 1975 popularly called “Thrilla In Manila”. It was an absorbing and punishing confrontation, which was handed to Ali when Frazier’s coach called time on it.
- His victory over Leon Spinks in 1978 made him the first boxer in history to win the heavyweight champion title three times.
Following the 3rd and final loss of his career in 1981, Muhammad Ali called it time and retired at the age of 39. By then, he had already been established as a legendary boxer and as one of the most universally acclaimed celebrities of the 20th century.
While boxing is the true claim to fame for Muhammad Ali, he is known around the world for his social activism and his ability to boldly speak his mind. His refusal to fight the Vietnam War is one such example. “I got no quarrel with them Vietcong,” he said. It cost him his titles and boxing license but he stuck to his convictions, delivering speeches all over the country, becoming a civil rights and antiwar hero. He was also an outspoken advocate for the rights of the black people using his celebrity status to address the social inequities of society.
Ali’s natural charisma, his sense of humor, and his way with words made him a delightful entertainer outside the ring almost as much as inside the ring. As much as he was a boxer, he is remembered by many for numerous other reasons; social activist, philanthropist, entertainer, and more.
He was a man on a mission who not only took the world of boxing by storm but who left a powerful impression on people of all ages and all races coming from all walks of life. This universal appeal is what made him the forever super-star he is and will continue to be for generations to come.
Muhammad Ali had humble beginnings. However, once he proved his mettle in the boxing ring, the money began to flow. With an Olympic gold medal and three heavyweight championship medals to his name. Muhammad Ali is estimated to have accumulated career earnings of around $60 million, or about $200 million adjusted for inflation and rounded because his career took place in high inflation times.
Nevertheless that amount, which may have in fact been higher, was unheard of for athletes at that time. His earnings broke the mold and paved the path for earning potential of athletes to come.
Some of Ali’s biggest paydays include the $2.5 million in 1971 in his fight against Joe Frazier, the $5.45 million in 1974 in his fight against George Foreman. and the $7.9 million in 1980 against Larry Holmes. When adjusted for inflation, these amounts shoot to $15 million, $26 million, and $22 million respectively. In 2006, Ali reportedly sold the rights to his name and image for $50 million but held on to 20% interest on his licensing, which ensured a relatively steady revenue each year.
Many people have found fame and success. However, the superlative degree of success that Ali found is rare and beckons the question of why. Why is Muhammad Ali the success story that he is?
- Passion: Once he knew what he wanted, Ali chased it with single-minded determination. His philosophy was to never stop getting back up after falling down. And he never did. It made him the legendary boxer that the world knows, shattering expectations and reaching for the stars.
- Attitude: Muhammad Ali called himself the “greatest” boxer of all time. He boasted of the boxing skills he had and often played mind games with his rivals even before the game began. This dominant attitude allowed him to win half the battle by the time he stepped into the ring to face his opponent.
- Charisma: Muhammad Ali was a great boxer. However, he had a way with words that won over people easily. He once described himself in the ring as someone who floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. It was this kind of eloquence that turned people into his die-hard fans. It only added to his appeal that he had a great sense of humor and knew how to entertain an audience.
- Standing Up For What He Believed In: Muhammad Ali was a celebrity. He had influence, knew it, and didn’t forget to use it for the right reasons. He fought for what he believed in and was unapologetic about it. He did not forget to fight for the rights of black people and he worked hard to create awareness for Parkinson’s Disease in the later years of his life. Boxing gave him fame but it did not alone define him. Instead, it became a stepping stone to reach the masses with the right social messages in an attempt to make the world a better place.
Summing-Up
Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s’ Disease in 1984, three years after his retirement. Even as he struggled with the disease, he continued to fight against the social inequities of society. He also worked to create more awareness for Parkinson’s Disease. He passed away on the 3rd of June 2016 and left behind a legacy the world will always remember in the most glowing terms. His achievements will continue to inspire people from all walks of life for generations to come.
