Muhammad Ali Early Life

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” were words often said by Muhammad Ali and attributed to his success (“Life as Cassius Clay”). Muhammad Ali started his dream of becoming a world champion boxer at the start of his career. Muhammad had many high and low points as a young fighter trying to reach the top. Today, Muhammad is considered one of the greatest boxers to come. Muhammad Ali’s determination as a child is what led him to a successful career in both his middle life and adulthood.
Growing up nobody would have known what great fighter Muhammad would turn out to be. Born in 1942 as a black child of the middle class Muhammad Ali did not let it affect his dreams (“Life as Cassius Clay”). He went to church every Sunday with his mom
He took his passion and set his goal to reach the Olympics. After high school Muhammad decided he wanted to step up his career and try for gold in the 1960 Olympics. He ended up winning the Olympic gold medal of 1960 in Rome (Burchard 19). Soon after winning the Olympics Muhammad signed a contract with Louisville sponsoring group and became a professional (“Life as Cassius Clay”). Throughout 1961 and 1963 Muhammad won many matches and began writing side poems about his victories and opponents (Burchard 29). Sports writers started calling him “Mighty Mouth” and “Louisville Lip”, because of how much bragging he would do (Burchard 30). At age twenty-two Ali’s dream of becoming undefeated as a professional came true (Burchard
In 1984 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome due to repeated blows to the head over his long boxing career. His poor health limited his abilities and efforts to do everyday obstacles. Even though living with Parkinson’s syndrome Ali spent his time donating money to various charities and humanitarian missions across the world. He became a strong advocate for more research money for the disease. In 1969 he was awarded the honor of lighting the Olympic torch in Atlanta Georgia summer games. He was accepted into the international hall of fame in 1990 (“Life as Cassius Clay”). During Muhammad Ali’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease he still tried to remain light hearted and is considered to be the twentieth century's greatest and most influential athletes.
Through all Muhammad's struggles in his childhood and early adult life, he was able to conquer his dreams. Muhammad did not have the best childhood. He made the best of it by letting it out in the ring. After being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he still had various struggles, but he would look at the positive side. Muhammad was still able to accomplish his goal of becoming one of the greatest boxers. “I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest” (US Sports