Why Muhammad Ali Retired From Boxing At 39 Years Old, Explained

Highlights

• Parkinson’s disease abruptly ended Ali’s storied boxing career and fame, overshadowing the wins he achieved.
• Despite his tragic end in the ring, Ali showed resilience and advocacy for hope and determination.
• Ali’s quickness, footwork, bravery, and immense success make him an iconic figure in boxing history.

Muhammad Ali, dubbed “the Greatest,” dominated his opponents during the majority of his boxing career and added several lucrative feathers to his cap. Ali’s career, however, unexpectedly ended. Ali, who is regarded as one of the most influential sports figures of the 20th century, was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. He is recognized as one of, if not the greatest heavyweight boxer in the history of the sport with 56 victories in 61 fights, including 37 knockouts.

Despite his shining and illustrious career, Ali had an unfortunate end to his 20 years in the ring. It wasn’t an adversary who forced Ali to bid adieu to the game he admirably loved but a health problem that slowed him down, forcing the legendary boxer to hang his gloves. The man who could dance in the ring throughout the 15 rounds couldn’t keep doing so and gradually lost his best weapon: speed. Ali’s pace and speech began to slow down in the late 1970s, but he wasn’t formally diagnosed with Parkinson’s until 1984, three years after he had left professional boxing.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a brain condition that causes problems with movement, mental health, sleep, pain and other health issues.”

Ali’s First Ban and First Defeat

Muhammed Ali Went To War With Joe Frazier

An undefeated and undisputed Ali faced his first defeat when he locked horns with Joe Frazier in October 1971. The historic clash is known as the “Fight of the Century.”Frazier managed to secure a win over Ali after a unanimous decision in the 15th round. It should be noted that Ali had just served a five-month suspension for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War on account of his religious views. Subsequently, he received a five-year prison sentence, lost his world title, was banned from boxing, and had to pay a $10,000 fine. As a result, his boxing peak was shortened by the punishment, but he rose to fame as many fans lauded the boxer’s actions.

As soon he got his suspension overturned, he challenged Frazier for the WBA, WBC, and The Ring Heavyweight Titles. Unfortunately, he lost to Frazier. However, the pair clashed again in 1974 and 1975, when Ali emerged victorious in both bouts. After his first loss, Ali stepped into the ring with Ken Norton in March 1973, when the latter broke the former’s jaw in the second round and ended up winning the bout after 12 heart-wrenching rounds in California.

Ali’s Brief Retirement And Comeback

Leon Spinks Victory Was One Of The Biggest Upsets In Boxing

• Spinks was stripped of the WBC title for facing Ali in an unsanctioned rematch.
• Ali won the WBA and The Ring heavyweight titles by defeating Spinks in the rematch.

Ali went on a winning streak after his second defeat, but he had to face another upset at the hands of Leon Spinks. Spinks, who had won the Olympic Gold medal in 1976, beat Ali in a split decision, becoming the first boxer to snatch a world title away from “The Greatest.” In September of that same year, Ali rematched with Spinks, which Ali won by unanimous decision.

After the rematch, Ali retired from boxing in 1978 at the age of 37, becoming the only three-time heavyweight world champion. He made his decision official at a press conference in Los Angeles in June 1979.

However, he couldn’t stay away from boxing. A few months after his retirement as a champion, he made a comeback to the game, returning to the ring in 1980 when he faced Larry Holmes, who was in far better form than him despite having Parkinson’s disease. Ali suffered his first and only stoppage loss in the 10th round at the hands of Holmes, who was seven years Ali’s junior.

Ali’s Last Dance

His Final Fight Was A Disaster

• The boxing match took place in Nassau, Bahamas because no American state would grant Ali a boxing license.
• Ali Looked A Shadow Of His Former Self, Slow And Sluggish.

Amidst suffering from a life-changing disease, Ali took on Trevor Berbick in his last fight in December 1981. It was a one-sided fight where Berbick came out on top as the victor against an overweight and sluggish Ali. It was finally over for the boxing icon who had once ruled the world. Following this fight, Ali drew curtains on his 20-year luminous career at the age of 39. Though he had an unfortunate end to his career, Ali left a great lesson with his actions. Despite such tough times, he didn’t limit himself and became an advocate of hope, determination, and strong willpower.

Ali’s quickness, excellent footwork, punch-absorbing skills, and immense bravery helped him become a legendary boxer. Others have equaled his ultimate record of 56 wins, five defeats, and 37 knockouts, but the caliber of his opponents and his resounding success during the height of his career made him one of boxing’s all-time greats. In 2005, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the then-President of the United States, George W. Bush.

Ultimately it would not be one person, nor one organization that would stop Muhammad Ali. “The Greatest” could only be stopped by another undisputed champion: Father Time.