4 ways Muhammad Ali was ahead of his time as an athlete
By Zain Bando
Muhammad Ali was ahead of his time and here are four reasons why.
Muhammad Ali captivated the boxing world. His charismatic and brash style was like nothing the world had ever seen before. The way he boxed, defended, moved side-to-side, and countered was the stuff of orchestral proportions. His career was a microcosm of a true hero, spokesperson for human rights, and most importantly, the aura of holding the title as the “baddest man on the planet.”
Ali took over the boxing scene in the mid-1950s and never looked back. He ran his way to the top of the heavyweight ranks before “the shot heard around the world” against Sonny Liston finally happened. The Ali era was born, and the heavyweight division had one of the first true pioneers in the world of boxing.
Here are four ways that Ali was ahead of his time in an era where superstars were hard to come by ahead of the Ken Burns four-part documentary which will begin airing on PBS Sunday, Sept. 19 at 8/7c.
1. Muhammad Ali exemplified the art of self-promotion
Today, athletes build their own brands through social media. Ali essentially perfected the art of social media before it was even in existence. His press conferences, news appearances, and more allowed him to make a name for himself ahead of every fight. When Ali had a fight coming up, it was big news. Everyone tuned in to watch it, and this was no more evident when he said that he was the greatest ahead of his heavyweight title shot against Liston in Feb. 1964. He was supremely confident that he was going to win, and he meant it. He left no doubt, as the iconic winning punch is still seen in photo form and replayed to this day. What he said is what he meant, period.
2. Muhammad Ali built a relationship with journalists
In an era where news could not be pre-recorded, Ali made a name for himself on national television, especially with exclusive interviews. The famed journalist, Howard Cosell, who was best known for being a play-by-play NFL announcer for ABC, was Ali’s right-hand man. The two became great friends and had a bond that was unmatched. The closest comparison to today is Ariel Helwani’s relationship with former UFC double-champion, Daniel Cormier. The Ali-Cosell pairing is one that may never be replicated ever again, as he was usually the first person to know the scoop on everything that happened with Ali’s career.
3. Muhammad Ali nearly sacrificed his career for the betterment of himself
Ali had his heavyweight title stripped in April 1967 after refusing to get inducted into the armed forces. Ali cited religious reasons as the main rationale for his refusal. He was ultimately punished for his actions, but his actions to stand up for what he believed in are what makes him an icon in so many facets of professional sports. There is a lesson to be learned, and although many may not agree with his beliefs, they have to respect that he didn’t let the outside noise dictate how he was going to live his life.
4. Muhammad Ali made rivalries feel big
Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman. Those are just three names that ruled the heavyweight division during what many people consider as the “golden age” of boxing. The common denominator is that Ali was part of some of the biggest fights ever while champion. The “Thrilla in Manilla” or the “Rumble in the Jungle” felt big during those years, as the world stopped and watched everything unfold.
All in all, Ali’s legacy will never be forgotten, as future generations will look to his spirit for hope, guidance, and inspiration of becoming the greatest ever.
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