By CK: Would you believe me if I told all of you, the person responsible for influencing the man we consider the greatest of all time to inflict his dominating force in the sport of boxing, was a thief?
At just 12 years of age a young Cassius Clay had laced up his shoes, and walked outside, to only find his bicycle had been stolen.
Growing up in the town Louisville Kentucky Clay was convinced he would one day find the person riding his stolen bike, and would have the opportunity to take revenge. Clay was so convinced, he had motivated himself into training at a local boxing gym with a man by the name of Chuck Bodak, in order to prep his skills for the eventual encounter, assuming that day would come.
Well, Cassius Clay never did find that bicycle. But this would be a perfect example of that old saying, everything happens for a good reason.
With six Kentucky golden glove titles, two National titles, an amateur athletic union national title, and a 1960 Olympic gold medal, Cassius Clay had built an amateur record of 100 wins, with only 5 losses.
Although his professional career began as the young Cassius Clay, through religious beliefs Clay had become the legendary Muhammad Ali. No matter the name, the man continued to instill his dominance within the sport by defeating the toughest opposition the sweet science had to offer.
Becoming an eventual 3 time Heavyweight champion, Ali feared no one, and dominated the heavyweight division during his prime.
I myself did not have the privilege to see this man’s dominance live. But as luck would have it, I grew up into a family history of fight fanatics dating back to the beginnings of this amazing sport. While most children my age were indulged into the life of Scooby doo, loony tunes, and the introduction of apple computers, I enjoyed a video collection created between my father and grandfather of some of the greatest boxing matches held within the majority of the 1900s. Of course some of which converted from Latham Loop to VHS, as pre 1965 was a little early for standard TV recording.
But as history turns out my grandfather rewarded himself with a CV-2000, which was an overpriced Video TV recorder. This provided my viewing pleasure of his most prized possession. The November 22nd, 1965 title bout between Muhammad Ali and Floyd Paterson.
Unfortunately being born in 1978 I was not able to enjoy any of the man’s prime, nor recollect the tail end of his historic career.
But having watched countless footage of his first victory over the vicious Sonny Liston, the historic phantom punch in his 1965 rematch, the amazing 3 fight trilogy with Joe Frazier, the Rumble in the Jungle with hard hitting George Foreman, and others, I am truly grateful of the man, woman, girl, or boy that had stolen the bicycle of the young 12 year old Cassius Marcellus Clay.
Now today marks another milestone for the Greatest of all time. I would like to wish Muhammad Ali a very happy 73rd birthday.
Happy birthday champ!!!
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