Fastest heavyweight of all time. Dancing master. Three-time heavyweight champion of the world. Or simply Muhammad Ali. With the passing of perhaps boxing’s most decorated pugilist and arguably the greatest athlete of the 20th century, it is befitting to rewind time and remember the legendary story that is Muhammad Ali’s career. The story begins with a stolen bicycle. An enraged young 12-year old from Louisville, Kentucky vows to beat down the thief responsible. Little did we know, Joe E. Martin’s boxing lessons would lead to little Cassius Clay dominating the American amateur boxing scene. Cassius Clay’s amateur career would culminate into a Gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games. Making his professional debut, Clay obliterated his opposition. Respectable contenders like Eddie Machen, Doug Jones and an old Archie Moore succumbed to the dazzling hand-speed of Cassius. With 80 inches of reach, balletic footwork, blistering combinations and cat-like reflexes, Clay’s unorthodox style captivated global audiences. A 7-1 underdog, in 1964 Cassius Clay did the unthinkable and challenged the feared Sonny Liston who had obliterated Floyd Patterson in one round. In one of his greatest performances ever, 22-year old Clay danced,…
