The GOAT
Background
The world has been blessed over the centuries by great
individuals like Aristotle, Thomas Jefferson, and even
Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan. All of whom have
impacted society significantly during their time,
raising the levels of social prestige for the next
generation. It takes an extraordinary man of
confidence, dedication, and near flawlessness to be
universally known as simple "The Greatest". Muhammad
Ali has been quoted as "an American myth who has come
to mean many things to many people: a symbol of faith,
a symbol of conviction and defiance, a symbol of
beauty and skill and courage, a symbol of racial
pride, of wit and love." (Remnick) Ali, however, in
his majestic aura, was by no means a myth. His impact
on the World Boxing Association was unprecedented and
unexpected. Ali began his career at age 12 with
encouragement from policeman/boxing analyst Joe
Martin. These two met after young Cassius' bike was
stolen and he went to file a report.
English: Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentuc...
English: Bust portrait of Muhammad Ali, World Jour...
Elijah Muhammad addresses followers including Cass...From here, he
never looked back as boxing became the burning desire
in his flaming eyes. The young Mr. Clay was trained by
Joe Martin's close friend Mr. Fred Stoner. The
talented athlete bobbed and weaved his way to winning
100 out his 108 amateur fights; winning the Amateur
Athletic Union award and the Golden Gloves
Championship twice each. At the age of only 18 years
old, this bright eyed teenager stormed into Rome for
the 1960 Olympics and took the gold medal in the
light-heavyweight division. Ali signed a professional
contract that noted a fifty-fifty split of all revenue
with a group of twelve millionaires known as the
"Louisville Sponsoring Group". Before his first shot
at the boxing title versus then Champion of the world
Sonny Liston, he predicted in what round that he was...