Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali (formerly known as Cassius Clay) became the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion in 1964. He converted from Christianity to Islam and was totally opposed to the fighting going on between the USA and North Vietnam. In 1966, as the US Army’s need for manpower grew, Ali was called up in the draft of young men aged 18-24 years. He refused. This cost him his Heavyweight crown and was banned from the ring for 3 ½ years. He gave up everything he had won and earned – his boxing titles, his career and his fortune. He had been one of America’s favourite heroes – now he had become one of the most hated.
In April 1967 he turned down his final chance, stating at a press conference “I will not go 10, 000 miles from here to help murder and kill another poor people simply to continue the domination of white slave masters over the darker people of the earth. The US court gave him a $10, 000 fine and 5 years imprisonment. (later suspended on appeal.) Ali’s response was “clean up my cell and take me to jail!”
Overnight he became a civil rights martyr. Reactions to him were mixed. According to some, Ali had given up ‘being a man’ when he did not support the war. Others felt he had every right to be a conscientious objector. Muhammad Ali threw away his fame and fortune when it went against his religious principles.
What religion was Muhammad Ali? __________________________________________________ Which religious teachings might have influenced his decision not to fight? ____________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Do you think he was right not to fight? Why? _________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________
Muhammad Ali 1. What do you know about Muhammad Ali? Tell your partner. Use these words to help you. boxer heavyweight police
Olympics knockout win
greatest Muslim arrogant
Now go to youtube.com Type ‘Muhammad Ali bio’ and watch the short film. Did you learn anything new? Tell your partner.
"I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark."
2. Work with a partner. Match these famous Muhammad Ali quotes with their meanings! Muhammad Ali quote
Meaning
1. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.
a. You should do good things for other people.
2. He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.
b. The small battles are more important than the big ones.
3. Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.
c. The way Muhammad Ali fights!
4. I am the greatest; I said that even before I knew I was.
d. Be confident, even if you don’t feel confident.
5. The man who has no imagination has no wings.
e. Do the best you can every day.
6. It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe.
f. If you don’t take a chance then you won’t achieve anything.
7. Don't count the days, make the days count."
g. Being prepared and planning ahead will help you achieve success.
8. The fight is won or lost in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.
h. Without creativity you will not do very well.
3. Write down two quotes that you like. You can use the internet to help you.
More reading >>>>
Real Name:
Muhammad Ali Job:
Picture:
Early Life:
Family Life:
3 Interesting Facts:
Major Accomplishments:
Date:
Name:
Biography - Muhammad Ali Use resources like the internet, library books, or magazines to help you fill in this report form about Muhammad Ali. Where was Muhammad Ali born? _____________________________ What was the name of the police officer who introduced Ali to boxing at the age of 12? ___________________________________________________________________________ Describe what things happened to change his life between the age of 12 when his bicycle was stolen and age 18 at the 1960 Olympics. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Before he changed his name, what was he known as? ___________________________________________________________________________ How many times did he win the world heavyweight title? ___________________________________________________________________________ During his time as a boxer, how many fights did he lose? ______________________________ When did he retire? _____________________________ Fill in the missing word to his famous catchphrase: Float like a _________________, sting like a bee.
In April 1967 he turned down his final chance, stating at a press conference “I will not go 10, 000 miles from here to help murder and kill another poor people simply to continue the domination of white slave masters over the darker people of the earth. The US court gave him a $10, 000 fine and 5 years imprisonment. (later suspended on appeal.) Ali’s response was “clean up my cell and take me to jail!”
Overnight he became a civil rights martyr. Reactions to him were mixed. According to some, Ali had given up ‘being a man’ when he did not support the war. Others felt he had every right to be a conscientious objector. Muhammad Ali threw away his fame and fortune when it went against his religious principles.
What religion was Muhammad Ali? __________________________________________________ Which religious teachings might have influenced his decision not to fight? ____________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Do you think he was right not to fight? Why? _________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________
Muhammad Ali 1. What do you know about Muhammad Ali? Tell your partner. Use these words to help you. boxer heavyweight police
Olympics knockout win
greatest Muslim arrogant
Now go to youtube.com Type ‘Muhammad Ali bio’ and watch the short film. Did you learn anything new? Tell your partner.
"I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark."
2. Work with a partner. Match these famous Muhammad Ali quotes with their meanings! Muhammad Ali quote
Meaning
1. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.
a. You should do good things for other people.
2. He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.
b. The small battles are more important than the big ones.
3. Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.
c. The way Muhammad Ali fights!
4. I am the greatest; I said that even before I knew I was.
d. Be confident, even if you don’t feel confident.
5. The man who has no imagination has no wings.
e. Do the best you can every day.
6. It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe.
f. If you don’t take a chance then you won’t achieve anything.
7. Don't count the days, make the days count."
g. Being prepared and planning ahead will help you achieve success.
8. The fight is won or lost in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.
h. Without creativity you will not do very well.
3. Write down two quotes that you like. You can use the internet to help you.
More reading >>>>
Real Name:
Muhammad Ali Job:
Picture:
Early Life:
Family Life:
3 Interesting Facts:
Major Accomplishments:
Date:
Name:
Biography - Muhammad Ali Use resources like the internet, library books, or magazines to help you fill in this report form about Muhammad Ali. Where was Muhammad Ali born? _____________________________ What was the name of the police officer who introduced Ali to boxing at the age of 12? ___________________________________________________________________________ Describe what things happened to change his life between the age of 12 when his bicycle was stolen and age 18 at the 1960 Olympics. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Before he changed his name, what was he known as? ___________________________________________________________________________ How many times did he win the world heavyweight title? ___________________________________________________________________________ During his time as a boxer, how many fights did he lose? ______________________________ When did he retire? _____________________________ Fill in the missing word to his famous catchphrase: Float like a _________________, sting like a bee.
