I might never have become a Muslim if it hadnt been for Malcolm. Alis triumph over Williams was succeeded by victories over Ernie Terrell and Zora Folley. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. By February 1964, when Ali announced his name change the day after becoming world champion, Malcolm X was growing increasingly disillusioned with Elijah Muhammad, the prophet leader of the black separatist Nation of Islam movement. He was one of the legendry Ali Brothers other then Shaukat Ali and Zulfiqar Ali. She said it seemed like . She doesn't drink, smoke, meddle in other people's business, or bother anyone, and there's no one who's been better to me my whole life. Thats a blessing from God, and I was there from the beginning. Rahman has been married to Caroline for about 15 years now. Sonji Roi (former spouse) Duration of Marriage: 1964 - 1966 (2 years) Date of Birth: November 23, 1945. With each public appearance he seemed more feeble, a stark contrast to his outsized aura. Then, on March 31, 1973, a little-known fighter named Ken Norton broke Alis jaw in the second round en route to a 12-round upset decision. Im going to live off water now, as thats all I can afford. He was 74. He was 74. I remember in the training camp, Rahaman was the best sparring partner that Muhammad Ali ever had. 2016 was a year when we lost many legends in the world of music, film, and sports. He wanted Ali to come with him. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. But it was his work behind the scenes during Muhammads career that was instrumental in making Ali the greatest. While Rahman was a brilliant boxer in his own right, it was Muhammad that captured everybody's attention. [13][15] Her body was buried in a grave alongside her husband in Green Meadows Memorial Cemetery, in Louisville. Over the years, Rahman was always by his brothers side as his go-to sparring partner in preparation for matches, with his own career taking a backseat. And then one day he did it. She had been disabled by a stroke since February 1994. But in one of the most stunning upsets in sports history, Liston retired to his corner after six rounds, and Clay became the new champion. As time went by, that . In 1996 Ali was chosen to light the Olympic flame at the start of the Games of the XXVI Olympiad in Atlanta, Georgia. "My conscience won't let me go shoot my brother, or some darker people, some poor, hungry people in the mud, for big powerful America, and shoot them for what?" Last edited on 30 December 2022, at 06:04, "The special bond shared by Muhammad Ali and mum Odessa Clay", "Muhammad Ali the Irishman given hero's welcome in Ennis, County Clare", "Thomas Morehead (1836-1913) - Find A Grave", "Chapter Excerpt: Muhammad Ali by Matt Christopher", "Gregory Allen Howard - Screenwriter - Remember the Titans - Ali", "Odessa Lee Grady Clay, 77, mother of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, dies", https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81894995/odessa-lee-clay, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Odessa_Grady_Clay&oldid=1130446907, This page was last edited on 30 December 2022, at 06:04. Howard L. Bingham, a photographer who took an estimated one million pictures of Muhammad Ali over more than 50 years while becoming one of the boxer's closest friends, died on . There was a death scare in 2013, and last year he was rushed to the hospital after being found unresponsive. Their friendship got to the stage where dad would say Muhammad is coming over later and Id just reply, Oh, alright Dad. But he didnt. His final record of 56 wins and 5 losses with 37 knockouts has been matched by others, but the quality of his opponents and his overwhelming success during his prime placed him among boxings immortals. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. He would eventually reclaim the belt against George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle in Africa in 1974. Ali died at age 74 late Friday night, surrounded by his family in . In what is regarded by many as the greatest prizefight of all time (the Thrilla in Manila), Ali was declared the victor when Fraziers corner called a halt to the bout after 14 brutal rounds. It is the heart, soul and mind that define a person., Malcolm X was a great thinker and an even greater friend, wrote Ali. Rahaman sparred with Muhammad all the time during those years and kept him going, Muhammads former business manager, Gene Kilroy, wrote in the foreword of Rahamans book. In May 1964, Muhammad Ali had a chance meeting in Ghana, with his former friend and mentor Malcolm X. Friends and family put flowers on Muhammad Ali's grave after a ceremony at Cave Hill Cemetery five years after his death. Muhammad Ali has one older brother, Rahaman "Rudy" Ali. RAHAMAN Ali tossed around a handful of titles for his autobiography but there was only one he felt truly summed up his life: Thats Muhammad Alis brother. "My enemy is the white people, not Vietcongs or Chinese or Japanese," Ali told one white student who challenged his draft avoidance. That was miraculous that Rahaman could do that. You my opposer when I want justice. Asked to share his personal philosophy with NPR in 2009, Ali let his wife read his essay: "I never thought of the possibility of failing, only of the fame and glory I was going to get when I won," Ali wrote. It was Ali's first defeat as a pro. Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer who proclaimed himself "The Greatest" and was among the most famous and beloved athletes on the planet, died Friday in Arizona. Another special memory is of Ali sparring with 16-year-old Tyrone in their back garden and The Greatest letting him win. She supported and inspired her son throughout his boxing . Ali successfully defended his title six times, including a rematch with Liston. The 74-year-old was married 4 times and has nine kids. Muhammad Ali has one older brother, Rahaman Rudy Ali. He was at Jackie Gleasons birthday party once and Mickey Rooney kept asking dad, Paddy, what line are you in? My dad said, Im in the dole line. Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar also known as Mohammad Ali was among the passionate fighters of independence who struggled against the British Colonial Powers. [4] Rahaman released his autobiography on January 17, 2015, with a book titled, That's Muhammad Ali's Brother! Rahaman has spent his whole life in the shadows, always the undercard. [17] In the 1977 film The Greatest, Odessa Clay was portrayed by Dorothy Meyer, and in the 2001 film Ali she was portrayed by Candy Ann Brown.[18]. He remembers the brashest of boxers being . Where did he get that strength from?, On today, 1975, That's @MuhammadAli Brother! My black brother, who lived in Kentucky, became the most famous man in the world. Rahaman told me a story about his dad being under a car, fixing it, and the car caved in on him, he wrote. Shortly after receiving the inheritance though, Ali Jr. reportedly skipped out on his wife, Shaakira, and their two young daughters, Ameera and Shakera. Muhammad and his second wife, Belinda Boyd, who later changed her named to Khalilah, had four kids together: Maryum was born in 1968, twins Jamillah and Rasheda were born in 1970, and . Muhammad Ali With His Parents And Brother (Source: Getty Images) His battle with Parkinsons has made keeping in touch difficult in recent years and Rahaman, now 71, is dealing with his own health troubles, revealing hes had at least 15 ministrokes that hes aware of. Moreover, although exemptions from military service on religious grounds were available to qualifying conscientious objectors who were opposed to war in any form, Ali was not eligible for such an exemption, because he acknowledged that he would be willing to participate in an Islamic holy war. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? He said to me, 'Im in no pain. In October 1970, Ali was allowed to return to boxing, but his skills had eroded. I am not backing off because the guy you are fighting isnt backing off.. Director Marcus A. Clarke used Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith's "Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X " as a touchstone for this documentary available . But our picket fence got knocked down and the crowd trampled all over the garden. Corrections? June 6, 2016, 11:07 AM. Muhammad Ali s death last June was mourned worldwide but nowhere as deeply as the small town of Abingdon in Oxfordshire. LOUISVILLE, Ky. Five years ago today, boxing legend and Louisville native Muhammad Ali passed away. Elijah Muhammads death in 1975 paved the way for his son Wallace D Muhammad to bring the Nation of Islam, and Ali, into the fold of mainstream Sunni Islam. "Once Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali," Roberts and Smith . Al, in full Al ibn Ab lib, also called Al al-Murta, (born c. 600, Mecca, Arabia [now in Saudi Arabia]died January 661, Kufa, Iraq), cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, and fourth of the "rightly guided" (rshidn) caliphs, as the first four successors of Muhammad are called. Dad also met James Brown but didnt have a clue who he was. Ali said he was shocked to hear of his brother's death. As Ali's fame reached new heights, his bond with his brother never weakened. While he went to the 1960 Olympics, Rahaman was not selected and remained amateur until February 25, 1964, the night his brother won one of his heavyweight titles over Sonny Liston. Muhammad Ali's mother was his greatest supporter despite their separate spiritual paths. Rahaman Ali retired from boxing in 1972 and remains close to his brother, who is battling Parkinsons Disease. Ali, 74, died Friday night at 9:10 MT, the result of septic shock due to unspecified natural causes, Gunnell said. Odessa Lee Clay (ne O'Grady; February 12, 1917 August 20, 1994) was the mother of three-time world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Rahman Ali, and the paternal He also stopped fighting in the late 1960s when Muhammad was exiled for refusing to be inducted into the armed forces during the Vietnam War. On March 6, 1964, he took the name Muhammad Ali, which was given to him by his spiritual mentor, Elijah Muhammad. The bout lasted only one minute into the first round. Ali was a member of the inaugural class of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, and in 2005 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Fatima Jinnah (Urdu: ; 31 July 1893 - 9 July 1967), widely known as Mder-e Millat ("Mother of the Nation"), was a Pakistani stateswoman, politician, dental surgeon and one of the leading founders of Pakistan. His face lit up and he said: Paddy, my brother., I helped him up out of his chair so he could hug dad and it was such a loving hug. Ali's only biologicsal son, Muhammad Ali Jr., who was reportedly living in Chicago relying on food stamps and hand outs and was estranged from his father at the time of his death, was one of the children who received a $6 million inheritance. Muhammads brother, Rahman, was always in his corner, helping him prepare for fights and had a big role in making Muhammad great. Rahman Ali, Muhammad's brother, stated that the split from his first wife was one of the most difficult experiences that the boxer endured during his life. He said 'Im going to be the greatest fighter that ever lived.' [13] Muhammad Ali was much closer to his mother, whom he lovingly called "Bird", than to his father. And my mother, I'll tell you what I've told people for a long time. Ali died at 9:10 p.m., spending the last hour of his life surrounded by his family. Dec. 20, 2016. She taught us it was wrong to be prejudiced or hate. He represents the time of our struggle in the dark and a time of confusion in us, and we dont want to be associated with that at all.. Evan Woodberry tweeted, "Battlefield universe has some sad . His daughter Rasheda said early Saturday that the legend was no longer suffering, describing him as daddy, my best friend and hero as well as the greatest man that ever lived., Photos: Float Like a Butterfly: Muhammad Ali's Life in Pictures. He told People magazine that his largest regret was not playing a more intimate role in the raising of his children. My Life on the Undercard, which is co-authored by H. Ron Brashear and the foreword written by Gene Kilroy - the longtime business manager of Muhammad Ali. Through his friendship with Ali, Paddy met many big name stars. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. His fights against other men became spectacles, but he embodied much greater battles. If I wasnt famous, I wouldnt be able to do what Im doing now.. Muhammad Ali would say to him, Fool, back off! and Rahman would respond by saying, No, I am going to get you ready, and you are going to win this fight. Leon Spinks, who shocked the boxing world with his 1978 defeat of Muhammad Ali to claim the heavyweight championship, died Friday in Henderson, Nev. While he is considered by many to be the greatest pugilist of all time, his life outside the ring has also warranted a lot of attention. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. If I wasnt a boxer, I wouldnt be famous, he said. The challenger geared up for the bout with a litany of insults and rhymes, including the line, "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." In addition, he was known for his social message of black pride and black resistance to white domination and for refusinginductioninto theU.S. Armyduring theVietnam War. Six months later, at a sold-out Madison Square Garden, he lost to Joe Frazier in a 15-round duel touted as "the fight of the century." The move split sports fans and the broader American public: an American sports champion rejecting his birth name and adopting one that sounded subversive. "The moment he walked into the gym, he knew he would be great. Soon after that, the brothers joined the Nation of Islam and changed their names. His knack for talking up his own talents often in verse earned him the dismissive nickname "the Louisville Lip," but he backed up his talk with action, relocating to Miami to work with top trainer Angelo Dundee and build a case for getting a shot at the heavyweight title. Muhammad Ali's brother shares a few new details about The Greatest. He had a cardiac attack, which led to his demise. Muhammad Ali, who has died aged 74, was acclaimed by many as the greatest world heavyweight boxing champion the world has ever seen. I have no doubt had he not sacrificed to be sparring partner and bodyguard for Muhammad, he could have been the heavyweight champion, Brashear said. Now they feel sorry for me. They went to heaven and now my brother is going to heaven to join my parents. Turning my back on Malcolm, wrote Ali in his 2004 autobiography The Soul of a Butterfly, was one of the mistakes that I regret most in my life. Following his loss to Frazier, Ali won 10 fights in a row, 8 of them against world-class opponents. Ali was the first fighter to win the world heavyweight championship on three separate occasions; he successfully defended this title 19 times. From a chance meeting to a tragic fallout, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali's extraordinary bond cracks under the weight of distrust and shifting ideals. [14], Clay's husband died in 1990. Boxing legend. He was 74. Rahaman Ali wishes his brother, Muhammad Ali, a happy birthday, March 18, 2007, in Louisville, Ky., at the Muhammad Ali Center before the Rumble Replay, a fundraiser showing the eight rounds of . Henry and his twin brother George, who died . "His spirit will always be with me and he doesn't go. "Hes going to be with God, which is the best thing," Ali said. He is claimed to be the third Imam of Shia Islam after his brother . . And there were a lot of positives: Muhammad Ali was a hero for the ages. He continued to be one of the most recognizable people in the world. Muhammad Ali Jr., the son of the late boxing icon Muhammad Ali, told The New York Post in an hour-long interview that his father wouldn't have supported the Black Lives Matter movement, calling it "racist."; Ali, who died aged 74 in 2016 as a result of complications of Parkinson's disease, was a known activist who in 1964 joined the Nation of Islam. When Muhammad Ali died last year, he left his widow Lonnie $12 million, andeach of his nine children $6 million each. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. On October 30, 1974, Ali challenged George Foreman, who had dethroned Frazier in 1973 to become heavyweight champion of the world. Muhammad started boxing in a Louisville, Kentucky amateur boxing league. He wouldnt take it easy on him. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening," said family . [3] She supported and inspired her son throughout his boxing career and was a ring-side regular at his bouts. "My mother and father were good people and they told us not to hate but to love and be kind and good to people. Over the course of three rounds, Ali landed more than 100 punches, scored four knockdowns, and was hit a total of three times. Larsa Pippen ruffled feathers when she went public with her new flame, the son of an NBA legend and a former teammate of her ex. LOUISVILLE - Rahaman Ali had a ringside seat for nearly all of his brother's life. What Was Muhammad Ali's Net Worth At The Time Of His Death? Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. "My dad and mom were angels," he said. You know what he said to me? Muhammad Alis expansive career was more than just about boxing. And when he claimed that Muhammad was a hypocritical womaniser who had fathered children through affairs with his secretaries, Malcolm X was frozen out of the Nation of Islam. "Hell always be with me -- in my heart, in my bones, in my mind," Ali said. But the young champion was to disappoint him. Muhammad Ali died in June 2016 at the age of 74, . Absolutely not. SOME say he could have been heavyweight champion of the world. Rudolph had his own ideas of boxing stardom. The final performances of Alis ring career were sad to behold. But he was killed before I got the chance.. The Clays weren't rich, but they weren't poor either. Ali's Mother Raised Him as a Baptist. ", — -- Muhammad Ali's brother Rahaman Ali told ABC News today that being the boxing icon's younger brother "was like heaven on earth.". She was the younger sister of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father and the first Governor General of Pakistan. Very little is known about that, which makes the conversation a perfect playground for an imaginative writer. The former British, Commonwealth and European champion fought 55 times and is revered for his 1963 knockdown of Muhammad Ali - then Cassius Clay. It was Cassius who was given the name of the boys father and it was Cassius who ruled the roost when the boys played in their yard. Muhammad Ali, right, takes a punch from Trevor Berbick, of Canada, during the first round of their 10-round bout in Nassau, Bahamas, in this Dec. 11, 1981 file photo. Jan 16, 2023 at 12:58 pm. One of his daughters, however, Laila Ali, pursued a career as a professional boxer during which she went undefeated in 24 bouts between 1999 and 2007 while capturing a number of titles in various weight classes. Thats my claim to fame, I was unofficial world champion at 16, said Tyrone. He would keep coming. [16], Odessa Clay appeared as herself in the film documentaries Muhammad Ali: The Whole Story (1996) and When We Were Kings (1996). Thats a blessing from God, and I was there from the beginning. Rahman has been married to Caroline for about 15 years now. Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images. After he was refused services at a soda fountain counter, he said, he threw his Olympic gold medal into a river. But few people know he was also a remarkable boxing talent. 2 Laila Ali. The brothers returned to the ring with wins in Atlanta in late 1970 Muhammad against Jerry Quarry and Rahaman on the undercard against Hurricane Grant. 54 of 59 55 of 59 From left, Zubair Ali and his brothers Abdullah and Hamzah arrive with their mother Ruqaya Ali for Muhammad Ali's Jenazah, a traditional Islamic Muslim service, in Freedom Hall . In his final years, Ali was barely able to speak. The brothers adopted traditional Muslim names when they became part of the Black Muslims Ministry. Both Muhammad and Rahaman entered the amateur world of boxing at an early age and competed professionally, although Muhammads success in professional boxing led him to the Olympics. Ali, named Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated in 1999, died Friday at a hospital in Phoenix, a family spokesperson told ABC. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Muhammad, the prophet who spread Islam, dies. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was one of them. Odessa Lee Clay (ne O'Grady; February 12, 1917 - August 20, 1994) was the mother of three-time world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Rahman Ali, and the paternal grandmother of Laila Ali. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. The final ring contest of Alis career was a loss by decision to Trevor Berbick in 1981. He had nine children, most of whom avoided the spotlight of which Ali was so fond. June 3, 2021. Released on appeal but unable to fight or leave the country, Ali turned to the lecture circuit, speaking on college campuses, where he engaged in heated debates, pointing out the hypocrisy of denying rights to blacks even as they were ordered to fight the country's battles abroad. Muhammads brother, Rahman, was always in his corner, helping him prepare for fights and had a big role in making Muhammad great. One day I will join my parents too and my brother in heaven. In 2019, Rahaman released his 2nd book titled My Brother, Muhammad Ali - The Definitive Biography. Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off & extra perks with Booking.com Genius Membership, $6 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 10% off selected orders over 100 - eBay discount code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK March 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this March, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X insisted, was in fact so ignorant of Islam that he didnt know the prayer ritual. Rahman has since co-authored two books providing an intimate account of Muhammads life through his memories. He retired in 1979, when he was 37, but, seeking to replenish his dwindling personal fortune, returned in 1980 for a title match against Larry Holmes, which he lost. You know what he said to me? Muhammad Jr. reportedly inherited $6 million, and according to . The following year, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's. That's one hell of a achievement. Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi has been charged with rape, French prosecutors said. [1][2] She married Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr. in the 1930s and worked for some time as a household domestic to help support her young children. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening," Bob Gunnell . Entry for Odessa Clay's grave, in Findagrave website (2019). His father, Cassius Clay, Sr., worked as a sign painter and his mother, Odessa, worked as a maid. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. My black brother, who lived in Kentucky, became the most famous man in the world. (Getty) Ali's father, Cassius Clay Sr., was a Methodist, but . He took a big step up in class by fighting future British heavyweight champion Danny McAlinden and lost a six-round points decision. Thus, purists cringed when Clay predicted the round in which he intended to knock out an opponent, and they grimaced when he did so and bragged about each new conquest. King preceded the fight. Ali married his fourth wife, Lonnie (ne Yolanda Williams), in 1986. part big brother" to Ali and converted him to the Nation of Islam. Finally, Ali delivered a historic performance in the ring, employing a new strategy dubbed the "rope-a-dope," goading the favored Foreman into attacking him, then leaning back into the ropes in a defensive stance and waiting for Foreman to tire. They bumped into each other outside the Ambassador Hotel in the capital Accra. He wouldnt take it easy on him. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? There were thousands of people, the street was packed.. "And I am happy because I will meet him in heaven. I said, 'You look the same to me, you look the same with all that shaking.' This time, Ali won in a unanimous decision, making him the lead challenger for the heavyweight title. Mohammad Ali was born on April 19, 1931, in Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh, India. As reward for helping Ali win his licence back, Paddy was a second in his heros corner when he defeated Alvin Blue Lewis in Dublin in 1972. Getting food is hard and Ive nowhere I call home.. Rahaman Ali said that Muhammad "knew right from the beginning" that he'd achieve greatness in boxing. He died of septic shock "due to unspecified natural causes," a family spokesman said. Ali Jnr had little contact with his dad for 20 years, living on Chicagos gangland south side and struggling to make ends meet cleaning peoples yards. She taught us to love people and treat everybody with kindness. Jon Schuppe is an enterprise reporter for NBC News, based in New York. Rahman is the younger brother of Muhammad Ali, born Rudolph Valentino Clay in July 1944. Alis most-tangible ring assets were speed, superb footwork, and the ability to take a punch. Morehead. He also was the subject of the docuseries Whats My Name (2019) and Muhammad Ali (2021), the latter of which was codirected by Ken Burns. Muhammad Ali, the silver-tongued boxer and civil rights champion who famously proclaimed himself "The Greatest" and then spent a lifetime living up to the billing, is dead. In 2005, President George W. Bush honored Ali with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and his hometown of Louisville opened the Muhammad Ali Center, chronicling his life but also as a forum for promoting tolerance and respect. He recovered and returned to his new home in Arizona. Ali died in June, aged 74, and the money is yet to handed out. After back-to-back losses ending with Rahaman being knocked out by Jack O'Halloran, he retired from professional boxing. "Mandy" Walker of Todd County, Kentucky. Ali's only biologicsal son, Muhammad Ali Jr., who was reportedly living in . Now, seven months after the death of one of the most legendary figures in sports, his family is again in the news for all of the wrong reasons. Then his marriage fell apart a month after his father died. I'm OK.'. grandmother of Laila Ali. I've changed my religion and some of my beliefs since then, but her God is still God; I just call him by a different name. Their bond continued past their retirements until Frazier's 2011 death. The Jinnah family (Urdu: ; Gujarati: , ) was a political family of Pakistan.Jinnahs have played an important role in the Pakistan Movement for creation of Pakistan, a separate country for Muslims of India. In recent years, Rahman was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, the same affliction that Muhammad had to deal with. Rahaman Ali was born Rudolph Arnett Clay in Louisville, Kentucky, on July 18, 1943, almost exactly 18 months after his older brother, Cassius. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Before the rift: Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali in March 1964, Muhammad Ali - 'I don't have white friends, they're associates', Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Read more 'The white man is the devil' what the Nation of Islam taught Ali, Bernie Sanders pays tribute to Muhammad Ali for 'courageous' opposition to Vietnam War, How the world paid tribute to Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ali was a 'champion of Islam' who wanted to distinguish the religion from Isis, says Muslim leader, Muhammad Ali's one regret: his rift with Malcolm X. rejected Cassius Clay as his slave name. Muhammad Ali was a member of the inaugural class of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, and in 2005 he was awarded thePresidential Medal of Freedom. But because of his older brother, Rahaman Alis life took a much different path. . When people discuss Muhammad Ali, they often just focus on the positives. He's the greatest fighter on this planet. Over the next 30 months, at the peak of his popularity as champion, Ali fought nine times in bouts that showed him to be a courageous fighter but a fighter on the decline. Alis later years were marked by physical decline. Ali died Friday at a Phoenix-area hospital, where he had spent the past few days being treated for respiratory complications, a family spokesman confirmed to NBC News. He is the younger brother of Muhammad Ali.[3]. He reminisced about Muhammad after his death in 2016, saying, Hes the greatest fighter on this planet. Muhammad started boxing in a Louisville, Kentucky amateur boxing league. Jun 04, 2016 at 8:31 am. Rahman is the younger brother of Muhammad Ali, born Rudolph Valentino Clay in July 1944. I could almost feel it. His first book. Something went wrong, please try again later. My mum had rose bushes in the front garden, with one right in the centre. IE 11 is not supported. He said, 'Don't cry for me, Rahaman. Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali chronicles the relationship between its eponymous duo, which would eventually result in one of the greatest regrets of Ali's life.The pair shared a turbulent and ultimately short-lived friendship in the 1960s amidst a complex environment of popular sports and social justice.Blood Brothers