muhammad ali brother death muhammad ali brother death

[3] She supported and inspired her son throughout his boxing career and was a ring-side regular at his bouts. 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. However, his condition differed from chronic encephalopathy, or dementia pugilistica (which is commonly referred to as punch drunk in fighters), in that he did not suffer from injury-induced intellectual deficits. "The moment he walked into the gym, he knew he would be great. He took a big step up in class by fighting future British heavyweight champion Danny McAlinden and lost a six-round points decision. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 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 "Once Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali," Roberts and Smith . His mother, Odessa Grady Clay, worked as a household domestic. Float Like a Butterfly: Muhammad Ali's Life in Pictures, Fighter and Thinker: the Two Sides of Muhammad Ali, 'Blood Brothers': The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali Celebrated at Compelling, Affectionate New Exhibition. He wouldnt take it easy on him. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. 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 . It was in this fight that Ali employed a strategy once used by former boxing great Archie Moore. 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. June 6, 2016, 11:07 AM. 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. Updates? In 1986, the couple adopted 5-year-old Asaad Amin and remained together until Muhammad's death. Muhammad Ali's brother shares a few new details about The Greatest. Fans of the pitcher have used the internet to pay homage as word of Matt Pobereyko's passing spreads. He was 74. Ali died at 9:10 p.m., spending the last hour of his life surrounded by his family. This led to a slight trouble as far as Mohammad's . 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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. From a technical point of view, the second Ali-Frazier bout was probably Alis best performance in the ring after his exile from boxing. It wasnt long before his ambition grew much larger than just dealing with a petty criminal. The opponents he was besting were a mixture of veterans who were long past their prime and fighters who had never been more than mediocre. Jan 16, 2023 at 12:58 pm. Ali won in a technical knockout in the 15th round. Frazier's first loss came in 1973 when Foreman beat him by . Although they were close, Foreman refused to attend Frazier's funeral, and the reason is a sad one. "[12], Clay supported and inspired her son throughout his boxing career. In a May 25, 1965, rematch against Liston, he emerged with a first-round knockout victory. #boxing pic.twitter.com/7hNAXaeBYW. He refused to serve. In the couple's 11 years of marriage, Shaakira stated that Ali Jr. never held a steady job, only doing odd jobs such as cutting grass for neighbors, and that she supported him throughout it all. Two days later Clay shocked the boxing establishment again by announcing that he had accepted the teachings of the Nation of Islam. Thats one hell of an achievement. All times AEDT (GMT +11). He reminisced about Muhammad after his death in 2016, saying, Hes the greatest fighter on this planet. I remember in the training camp, Rahaman was the best sparring partner that Muhammad Ali ever had. "You my opposer when I want freedom. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- On June 3, 2016, the death of . Ali's only biologicsal son, Muhammad Ali Jr., who was reportedly living in . Through his friendship with Ali, Paddy met many big name stars. He would eventually reclaim the belt against George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle in Africa in 1974. He belonged to the Yousaf Zai clan of the Rohillatribe to a wealthy and enlightened family of Pathans. 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 . Ali told boxing promoters, "She's afraid of him. He told People magazine that his largest regret was not playing a more intimate role in the raising of his children. 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. [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]. But few people know he was also a remarkable boxing talent. His battle with Parkinson's has made keeping in touch difficult in recent years and Rahaman, now 71, is dealing . Muhammad Ali is held back by referee Joe Walcott, left, after Ali knocked out challenger Sonny Liston in the first round of their title fight in Lewiston, Maine on May 25, 1965. Ali's son claims he is facing homelessness and accuses his family of stopping him getting an equal share of the legends 62million fortune. Tyrone, a Kung Fu master, tearfully recalls the last time he and his father saw Parkinsons disease-stricken Ali, during his visit to Dublin in 2009. 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. Rudolph had his own ideas of boxing stardom. [10] When she became an adolescent, she dropped out of school and also found work as a domestic. He was 74. My black brother, who lived in Kentucky, became the most famous man in the world. As Ali's fame reached new heights, his bond with his brother never weakened. September 26, 2019 12:07 PM EDT. Rahaman picked the car up from the rear, and his father was able to get out from under the car. Clay was a decided underdog. Date of Death: October 11, 2005 (aged 59) Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius. 2023 Celebrity Net Worth / All Rights Reserved. To the contrary, I always have and continue to be in awe and proud of the fact that I am Muhammad Alis brother.. Alis triumph over Williams was succeeded by victories over Ernie Terrell and Zora Folley. I wish Id been able to tell Malcolm I was sorry, that he was right about so many things. 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 . He is claimed to be the third Imam of Shia Islam after his brother . Muhammad Ali dies at 74 05:22. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. He was 67. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. He had a cardiac attack, which led to his demise. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. I felt that he had set me free! the boxer recalled in 2004. In fact, according to Woods he plans to have Thats Muhammad Alis Brother written on his tombstone when he dies. They bumped into each other outside the Ambassador Hotel in the capital Accra. But because of his older brother, Rahaman Alis life took a much different path. He was 74. 2016 was a year when we lost many legends in the world of music, film, and sports. The siblings were born in Louisville, Ky. Rahaman's birth name was Rudolph Valentino Clay, and Muhammad's birth name was Cassius . The legs that had allowed him to dance for 15 rounds without stopping no longer carried him as surely around the ring. An attorney for the Muhammad Ali Trust, which governs the distribution of his estate, said: "It was crafted to reflect his specific . 2016 was a year when we lost many legends in the world of music, film, and sports. After winning dozens of amateur fights, Rahman made his foray into the world of professional boxing on the same night as Muhammad beat Sonny Liston in 1964. Morehead served in the 122nd United States Colored Troops during the war. My mum had rose bushes in the front garden, with one right in the centre. This time, Ali won in a unanimous decision, making him the lead challenger for the heavyweight title. The final performances of Alis ring career were sad to behold. There were thousands of people, the street was packed.. His father, Cassius Clay, Sr., worked as a sign painter and his mother, Odessa, worked as a maid. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. "He was gifted with success, he was born with success," he said. 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. The three-time heavyweight champion had been at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn . Am I disappointed by this happening?, he poses in his book. Every Sunday, she dressed me up, took me and my brother to church, and taught us the way she thought was right. The remark bookended the life of a man who burst into the national consciousness in the early 1960s, when as a young heavyweight champion he converted to Islam and refused to serve in the Vietnam War, and became an emblem of strength, eloquence, conscience and courage. I was proud of my name and dedicated to the Nation of Islam as Elijah presented it. But he was killed before I got the chance.. Lester Maddox succeeds in halting the scheduled Atlanta bout. He never got over Muhammads death and his health went downhill very quickly, said his son Tyrone to Sunday People . The book is currently published in eight different languages around the world. You know what he said to me? It felt like it was no biggie, said Tyrone. She said it seemed like . While Cassius was undoubtedly the superior talent and would cap his amateur career with a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics, Rudolph also showed elite ability. Then, on March 8, 1971, he challenged Joe Frazier, who had become heavyweight champion during Alis absence from the ring. I am not backing off because the guy you are fighting isnt backing off. Rahman himself fought in 18 bouts, winning 14. Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar also known as Mohammad Ali was among the passionate fighters of independence who struggled against the British Colonial Powers. Ali was received by the people of Zaire as a conquering hero, and he did his part by knocking out Foreman in the eighth round to regain the heavyweight title. He was certainly . Muhammad Alis expansive career was more than just about boxing. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening," Bob Gunnell . Muhammad Ali was a boxer, philanthropist and social activist who is universally regarded as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. "He was a wonderful angel," an emotional Ali said today, one day after his brother's death, as he reflected on their childhood, close bond and last conversation. One of those people, Ron Brashear, the co-author of his newly-released book, told Ring Magazine Rahaman could have also achieved greatness. [11] The Clays' marriage was troubled. Ali successfully defended his title until 1978, when he was beaten by a young Leon Spinks, and then quickly took it back. They never lynched me. His mother was a homemaker. Its how hes been introduced since the day his older sibling became one of the greatest sportsmen in history and one of the most recognisable people on the planet. There were reports of conflict between members of Ali's large family in the years leading up to his death. He is pictured here at a hospital in New York City on Sept. 21, 1984, following four days of tests. In the mid-1970s he began to study the Qurn seriously and turned to Orthodox Islam. She supported and inspired her son throughout his boxing . Am I bitter by this happening? His record was 14 wins, three losses and one draw. 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 . [4] Her paternal grandfather was a white Irishman named Abe O'Grady, who emigrated to the United States from Ennis, County Clare, soon after the Civil War and married the daughter of freed slaves Lewis and Amanda J. As of 2017, a biopic based on the 77-year-olds life was reported to be in the making. "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?" Ali's brother and son Muhammad Ali, Jr., openly criticized his wife Lonnie, claiming that . Muhammad Ali later said, "My mother is a Baptist, and when I was growing up, she taught me all she knew about God. While Rahman was a brilliant boxer in his own right, it was Muhammad that captured everybodys attention. Muhammad Ali's daughter Hana shared a remarkable story of her father's final moments in a Twitter post published on Saturday. The first time Ali visited, when the Army had to control the mob, Tyrone was seven and recalls: The crowd went crazy. Known as the "Fight of the Century," Ali and Joe Frazier split a $5 million purse to fight for Frazier's title on March 8, 1971, in New York. 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. By Gina Martinez. In October 1970, Ali was allowed to return to boxing, but his skills had eroded. He traveled incessantly for many years, crisscrossing the globe in appearances in which he made money but also pushed philanthropic causes. "I could see it. He died of septic shock "due to unspecified natural causes," a family spokesman said. Part 2 - Smokin' Joe Frazier talks about how he felt about Muhammad Ali's antics, running his mouth, and if their relationship has changed over the years. 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 recovered and returned to his new home in Arizona. That all changed once his father died. Muhammad Ali, original name Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., (born January 17, 1942, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.died June 3, 2016, Scottsdale, Arizona), American professional boxer and social activist. He's going to be in my prayers. Alis religious views also evolved over time. I'm going to be with Allah god. His appeal took four years to reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which in June 1971 reversed the conviction in a unanimous decision that found the Department of Justice had improperly told the draft board that Ali's stance wasn't motivated by religious belief. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17, 1942. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Ali wished he had never snubbed his former mentor - but Malcolm X was assassinated before he could say sorry, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. As Alis fame reached new heights, his bond with his brother never weakened. 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. Damage to his brain caused by blows to the head resulted in slurred speech, slowed movement, and other symptoms of Parkinson syndrome. Muhammad Ali, who rose above poverty and racism to become not only the heavyweight champion but a . James Brown started screaming and cursing at my dad for not having heard of him.. Muhammad Ali, who has died aged 74, was acclaimed by many as the greatest world heavyweight boxing champion the world has ever seen. Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer and iconic public figure, died on Friday, June 3, at a hospital in the Phoenix area. Nick WheelerSIPA USA. He would keep coming. Alternate titles: Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. Thomas Hauser graduated from law school in 1970 and began writing in 1977. 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. In his career, he knocked out seven opponents and was himself knocked out once. Parkinsons disease victim Alis passing at 74 hit Paddy so hard, he struggled to cope and died aged 73 on April 9. He'd said previously that the war did not comport with his faith, and that he had "no quarrel" with America's enemy, the Vietcong. He remembers the brashest of boxers being . But despite living in his brothers shadow his whole life he says he wouldnt change a thing. 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. I could almost feel it. By 2004 Ali could write that Elijah Muhammad, who had taught him to see white Americans as blue-eyed devils , had accomplished much in terms of black racial pride but that Malcolm was the first to discover the truth, that colour doesnt make a man a devil. There was another fight on at the same venue later that night that got a little more attention Alis victory against Sonny Liston which saw him become heavyweight champion of the world. 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. The visitors had come from as far away as Georgia and as near as down the street. Muhammad stepped on that bush in the centre he didnt know it was there but the only rose that ever came back to life after that day was the one he trod on.. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. But Ali Jnr said: It looks like Ive just been cut off. 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. He says an equal slice of the inheritance was agreed at a meeting with his seven sisters and the wills executor, Alis fourth wife Lonnie, 59. Now they can go, 'He's human, like us. The maneuver has been copied by many other champions since. You know what he said to me? In May 1964, Muhammad Ali had a chance meeting in Ghana, with his former friend and mentor Malcolm X. He was 74. But what did the men rap about? As always you can unsubscribe at any time. She taught us it was wrong to be prejudiced or hate. She had been disabled by a stroke since February 1994. "Turning my back on Malcolm," wrote Ali in his 2004 . I said, 'You look the same to me, you look the same with all that shaking.' [13] Muhammad Ali was much closer to his mother, whom he lovingly called "Bird", than to his father. He held his hands unconventionally low, backed away from punches rather than bobbing and weaving out of danger, and appeared to lack true knockout power. Odessa Clay died of heart failure on August 20, 1994 at Hurstbourne Health Center, a nursing home in the Louisville, Kentucky area. You won't even stand up for me in America for my religious beliefs and you want me to go somewhere and fight but you won't even stand up for me here at home.". Ali had suffered for three decades from Parkinson's, a progressive neurological condition that slowly robbed him of both his verbal grace and his physical dexterity. In my heart, in my bones, in my mind. Their bond continued past their retirements until Frazier's 2011 death. June 3, 2021. Ali married his fourth wife, Lonnie (ne Yolanda Williams), in 1986. It was following this fight the brothers converted to Islam and changed their names to Rahaman and Muhammad. Something went wrong, please try again later. In his final years, Ali was barely able to speak. 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 destined to play second fiddle from the moment he entered this world. She was Leader of the Opposition of Pakistan from . It is co-authored by Fiaz Rafiq, with the foreword written by NFL legend Jim Brown. The outpouring of goodwill that accompanied his appearance confirmed his status as one of the most-beloved athletes in the world. ", — -- Muhammad Ali's brother Rahaman Ali told ABC News today that being the boxing icon's younger brother "was like heaven on earth.". There was a death announcement for Matt Pobereyko on Saturday, February 25. 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. Ali successfully defended his title six times, including a rematch with Liston. 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. He traveled with Muhammad and kept him sharp through his comeback matches until he retired. 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. 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. "My dad and mom were angels," he said. "Muhammad was 12 years old and I was 10," he said. So, if youre curious about what happened to Rahman since, weve got you covered. 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. 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. In Medina, located in present-day Saudi Arabia, Muhammad, one of the most influential religious and political leaders in history, dies in the arms of . The brothers adopted traditional Muslim names when they became part of the Black Muslims Ministry. Ali, named Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated in 1999, died Friday at a hospital in Phoenix, a family spokesperson told ABC. He said that after the birth of his three daughters, the best day of his life was sparring with Ali in his back garden at 16. [13][15] Her body was buried in a grave alongside her husband in Green Meadows Memorial Cemetery, in Louisville. With each public appearance he seemed more feeble, a stark contrast to his outsized aura. Rahaman has spent his whole life in the shadows, always the undercard. Fermanagh-born Paddy got 22,224 signatures on a petition, led protests in Londons Hyde Park and wrote to US President Richard Nixon to plead Alis case. But he arrived in Ghana just as Malcolm X was visiting, on his slow return from a pilgrimage to Mecca. When Muhammad Ali died last year, he left his widow Lonnie $12 million, and each of his nine children $6 million each. Muhammad started boxing in a Louisville, Kentucky amateur boxing league. When Clay was 12 years old, he took up boxing under the tutelage of Louisville policeman Joe Martin. Thats one hell of an achievement. Rahaman Ali retired from boxing in 1972 and remains close to his brother, who is battling Parkinsons Disease. Ali and Frazier fought again in 1974, after Frazier had lost his crown. Clay infuriated devotees of the sport as much as he impressed them. That's a blessing from God, and I was there from the beginning. While Rahman was a brilliant boxer in his own right, it was Muhammad that captured everybody's attention. Muhammad Ali With His Parents And Brother (Source: Getty Images) The third fight in the Ali-Frazier trilogy followed in 1975, the "Thrilla in Manila" that is now regarded as one of the best boxing matches of all time. In addition, he was criminally indicted and, on June 20, 1967, convicted of refusing induction into the U.S. armed forces and sentenced to five years in prison. Ali's fiery commentary was praised by antiwar activists and black nationalists and vilified by conservatives, including many other athletes and sportswriters. Ali said he was shocked to hear of his brother's death. Rahaman Ali is two years older than his famous sibling and was also a professional boxer. As of 2017, a biopic based on the 77-year-olds life was reported to be in the making. I'm OK.'. But it was the following year at Madison Square Garden the night Ali lost the first of three battles with Joe Frazier Rahamans career reached a turning point. Muhammad, the prophet who spread Islam, dies. Seven months later Ali regained the championship with a 15-round victory over Spinks. At that point in my journey, I just wasnt ready to question his teaching., Instead, Ali decided, in line with Nation of Islam politics, to see Africa and meet my brothers and sisters.. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. "And I am happy because I will meet him in heaven. 01:53. In May 1964, Muhammad Ali had a chance meeting in Ghana, with his former friend and mentor Malcolm X. After advancing through the amateur ranks, he won a gold medal in the 175-pound division at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome and began a professional career under the guidance of the Louisville Sponsoring Group, a syndicate composed of 11 wealthy white men. Ab Abd Allh al-usayn ibn Al ibn Ab lib (Arabic: ; 10 January 626 - 10 October 680) was a grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and a son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Muhammad's daughter Fatima, as well as a younger brother of Hasan ibn Ali. Ali was the first fighter to win the world heavyweight championship on three separate occasions; he successfully defended this title 19 times. When I proclaimed that I was the greatest of all time, I believed in myself, and I still do.". In no mood due to his bad luck with cards, Liston pulled a gun on Clay and his entourage and fired twice at the cocky challenger to strike fear into the hearts of the nearby crowd. His father, Cassius Marcellus Clay, Sr., supported a wife and two sons by painting billboards and signs. While "his motor skills, his physical skills were deteriorating," the icon's "mind was always sharp," he said. 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 . The siblings were born in Louisville, Ky. Rahamans birth name was Rudolph Valentino Clay, and Muhammads birth name was Cassius Marcellous Clay. He didnt float quite like his brother, but he also liked to bounce around on his toes and work behind a strong jab. With Ilyasah Shabazz, Rahman Ali, Cornel West, Todd Boyd. Reigning from 656 to 661, he was the first imam (leader) of . A local police officer, Joe Martin, told Cassius he better learn how to fight if he was going to whup the thief. But it was his work behind the scenes during Muhammads career that was instrumental in making Ali the greatest. Mickey Rooney just wouldnt believe him. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. 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. She was born in Hopkins County, Kentucky, one of six children of John Lewis O'Grady and Birdie B. Jr, and his uncle, Muhammad Ali's younger brother, Rahman, have . Perhaps the most well-known child of the late world champion is Laila, who then followed her father's footsteps and became one of the greatest female boxers of all .