Kaleb Caudill, Hunter Cobb, and Logan Kuhn
MUHAMMAD ALI'S LOUISVILLE
Cover Note
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Respect, Confidence, Spirituality, Conviction, Giving, and Dedication are the six core principles that the great Muhammad Ali lived his life by. These six core principles guided and fueled Ali’s life decisions and actions and are the main reason that the Louisville native went on to be known as a global icon. Muhammad Ali found great success in everything he did and was admired by those who knew him because he did things for himself, others, and his faith. Louisvillians take great pride in Muhammad Ali, and love him, because he is one of us, but also because of the way he triumphantly represented and loved us throughout his life. After defeating George Foreman in the Rumble in The Jungle, Ali said, “I'm recognized all over the world now, but my greatness came and started in Louisville, KY… that's one of the greatest cities in America, Louisville, KY.”
In this blog, one will learn about Muhammad Ali’s life and how he has impacted Louisvillians through our provision of academic resources and evidence. Newspaper and online articles, pictures, videos, and first-hand quotes, will be the main conduits for comprehending Ali’s impact. By highlighting key events and actions taken by Muhammad Ali in his boxing career, Muslim beliefs, and activism, one will come to understand what these core principles meant to Ali, and how he implemented them throughout important moments in his life. This exploration will also focus on how Ali’s application of these principles inspired Louisvillians to do the same locally in sports, secular and nonsecular beliefs, and activism.
Our goal is for young adults from the city of Louisville to learn about Muhammad Ali’s life, his six core principles, and how local civilians fulfill those principles. Our purpose for this is because we believe that our audience will be inspired to do great things like Muhammad Ali and other Louisvillians before them. Muhammad Ali was nicknamed ‘The Greatest,’ not only because of his successful boxing career, but also because of the way he affected people around the world and here in his hometown of Louisville. Those who have come from the city of Louisville take great pride in who Muhammad Ali was and how he represented this city, so we feel as if those who continue to come from this city, or those who have yet to come, should do the same. What better way is there to do that, than learning from ‘The Greatest?’
"I am the Greatest"
-Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali's Louisville: Confidence and Respect
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According to the Ali Center, Muhammad Ali lived his life by six core principles. Among those six core principles are confidence and respect. Noticeably present in Ali’s illustrious boxing career, as he was well known for his success as a quotable smack talker and multiple-time Heavyweight Champion of the World. Ali’s confidence and demand for respect propelled him to a globally iconic status, as his actions backed up his words. Ali was loved all over the world for the way he exemplified these principles, however, one could argue that no group was inspired more by ‘The Greatest’ than the people in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. In the past and today, Louisvillians implement the principles of confidence and respect in their daily lives, as they strive to achieve their personal goals.
The Ali Center defines confidence as, “Belief in oneself, one’s abilities, and one’s future.” From a young age, Ali exemplified this principle, as he believed in himself and his future abilities. At just twelve-years-old Ali showed his confidence when he told Louisville policeman, Joe Martin, that he was going to “whup” whoever stole his red bike. (2) Martin respected this confidence in the boy so much that he decided to train him in boxing. From there on, the ‘Louisville Lip’s’ boxing career began. The young Ali quickly worked his way up in the boxing world. According to the University of Louisville Libraries, Ali had “100 wins and only 8 losses” by the time he graduated high school. (3) In 1960, Ali went on to win the gold medal in the 175-pound weight division of the Rome Olympic Games. Ali has a famous quote that exemplifies the boxer’s confidence, as he stated, “I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was. I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I was really the greatest.” (4) After Ali’s monumental win in the Olympics, Ali began his professional boxing career under the Louisville Sponsoring Group, a team of 11 wealthy white men. (5) Seeing promise in the young, confident, and already successful boxer, the group placed their confidence in the boy who would go on to become the greatest of all time.
According to Noah Huffman, a special collections assistant at The Filson Historical Society, the Louisville Sponsoring Group showed their confidence in Ali by “arrang[ing his] fights, hir[ing] trainer Angelo Dundee, provid[ing] legal services, manag[ing] his finances, and paying his expenses. In exchange, the group retained half of Ali’s earnings.” (6) Before the last living member of the Sponsoring Group died he spoke of Ali's confidence saying, “[h]e had charisma, even as a kid — even, I bet, from birth.” In an article regarding the death of Gordon B. Davidson, the last member of the Louisville Sponsoring Group, the Courier-Journal talks about the strong relationship between Davidson and Ali. Ali continued to seek advice from Davidson even after his career ended. Remembering their relationship, attorney George Bocheto said, “They formed a bond that lasted a lifetime.” (7) Their relationship greatly contributed to Ali’s love for Louisville. This city is where he grew up and where his career began. If it weren’t for the Louisville Sponsorship Group, Ali may have missed the opportunity to obtain the respect he desired in the ring.
The Ali Center defines respect as, “Esteem for, or a sense of the worth or excellence of, oneself and others.” (1) Muhammad Ali’s implemented the principle of respect in his life by demanding respect from every critic and fighter in the boxing world. And he achieved this respect by defeating boxing legends. In 1964, Ali went on to win his first Heavyweight World Championship by defeating the heavily favored Sonny Liston. When Liston didn’t give Ali the respect he deserved, attributing his loss to a shoulder injury, Ali had no problem setting up a rematch. Ali’s devoted search for respect from each of his opponents showed more than ever in this rematch, as the Louisville boxer knocked Sonny Liston out in one minute. Ali showed his confidence and demand for respect when he called for Liston to “Get up and fight, sucker,” while the man laid on the ground below Ali. (3)
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Credit: https://www.si.com/boxing/2015/05/21/ali-liston-ii-neil-leifer-50-years-later
Perhaps the best example of Ali demanding respect from his opponent was in his fight against Floyd Patterson in 1965. Leading up to the fight, Patterson, like most journalists, refused to call Ali by his Muslim name, instead, calling him Cassius Clay. This bothered Ali very much and led him to want to punish Patterson during their fight. According to the University of Louisville Libraries, this is exactly what Ali did, as he “appea[ed] to have toyed with Patterson during the fight.” (3)
After returning to boxing and defeating George Foreman in the 1974 ‘Rumble in the Jungle,’ a sound bite was taken of Ali saying, “I'm recognized all over the world now, but my greatness came and started in Louisville, Kentucky. And that's one of the greatest cities in America, Louisville, Kentucky.” (8) Ali is a special figure in American culture, and while most icons move on from their hometowns, Ali showed respect for his hometown by staying true to his roots. Louisvillian, Sallie Larid spoke of Ali's respect for Louisville, and the local’s respect for him by saying, "When he could, he always came back," … "He just never forgot us. That's the greatest thing." (9) This loyalty has made Ali a hero in Louisville, as Louisvillians are inspired by his success. George Bochetto, a local, showed respect for Ali’s success by mentioning the need to have confidence in oneself and saying, “I'd like to see people - regular people, ordinary people, people that themselves are growing up in modest circumstances understand and see what's possible. And all you need is the hard work and determination, and it can all come true.” (8)
Today, appreciation for Muhammad Ali’s greatness can be seen throughout Louisville’s culture. The U of L Cardinals football team unveiled these special edition uniforms in celebration of Ali.
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Credit: Instagram/uniswag
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These jerseys were made to match with Ali’s iconic black and white entrance robe, and the red gloves mimic boxing gloves. The U of L football team had the confidence to take on their opponents wearing such a special jersey. They demanded respect from the other team like Ali demanded respect from his opponents. Another great example of Muhammad Ali being recognized today happened when the Louisville Bats debuted these Muhammad Ali jerseys in rememberance of Ali a year after his death on Muhammad Ali Appreciation Day.
Credit: Twitter/LouisvilleBats
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Not only did Ali gain respect in the ring, he gained the respect of an entire city. Muhammad Ali’s confidence and respect can still be felt by Louisvillians today, as it is clearly inspires many athletic programs to fight just as hard as Muhammad Ali once did.
Muhammad Ali lived his life through six principles. Ali demanded respect from his opponents and media, and he was angered when people didn’t take him seriously. Ali carried himself with such confidence that he was backed by eleven local millionaires at the age of eighteen. These locals backed him because they had confidence in his abilities, and because they knew the boxer would demand respect from the heavyweight champion, Sonny Liston. Remembering the way that Muhammad Ali demanded respect from everyone he encountered is a badge of pride for the city of Louisville, and this can be seen by the continued appreciation for Ali’s boxing career by many local athletic programs like the University of Louisville Football team and the Louisville Bats. To Louisvillians, Ali was more than an icon. In Louisville, the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali is honored through the continued emphasis of his core principles because in Louisville, Ali is viewed as someone who deserves respect. The pride that Ali has brought to Louisville, through his inspiring self-confidence, is something that every Louisvillian takes pride in.
"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."
-Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali’s Louisville: Spirituality and Conviction
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Islamic Cartoon, Muhammad Speaks December 1961
A memorial banner for Muhammad Ali at the Louisville Islamic Center in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. June 5, 2016.JOHN SOMMERS II / Reuters
The Ali Center identifies spirituality and conviction as two of the six core principles that feuled Muhammad Ali throughout his life. These two principles were unavoidably present in the actions Ali took to uphold and represent his beliefs as a member of the Nation of Islam. Ali’s conversion to Islam and his refusal to fight in the Vietnam War standout as prime examples of Ali’s spirituality and conviction. The implementation of these core principles helped Ali become recognized globally as an icon, but one could argue that no group was inspired more by ‘The Greatest’ than the people in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Senior Director of Public Relations and External Affairs at the Ali Center, Jeanie Kahnke, told John Boyle of the local WFPL radio station that, “it is so inspiring for young people to have Muhammad Ali from their hometown… to realize that in them, there lies a potential to accomplish anything they want to, because they have their fellow Louisvillian who did just that.” In Louisville, Muhammad Ali is seen as more than just an icon. The pride Louisvillian’s have for Ali goes deeper than celebrating his life and legacy during the city's annual Ali Festival. In Louisville, the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali is honored every day through the emphasis of his core principles. Spirituality and conviction are implemented by all locals in their daily lives because of the pride they feel towards the inspiring actions that Ali took in his life.
The Ali Center defines Spirituality as, “A sense of awe, reverence, and inner peace inspired by a connection to all of creation and/or that which is greater than oneself.” Ali’s Spirituality was seen in his conversion to Islam. According the University of Louisville Libraries, Muhammad Ali discovered the Nation of Islam in 1959 at the Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament in Chicago. Later, when Ali encountered an Islamic cartoon outside of a skating rink in Louisville, he was drawn to the religion because he agreed with the message that “Christianity was the religion of the oppressive white establishment.” Ali privately attended Isamic meetings and his spiritual beliefs in the religion grew, so much so, that in 1964 Ali publicly announced his conversion to the Nation of Islam. On March 6th of that same year, the world champion boxer changed his name from Cassius Clay or ‘Cassius X’ to Muhammad Ali.
Muhammad Ali went on to become the world’s most famous Muslim. His influence in this role can be seen in Louisville’s growing Islamic population. Charles Gazaway of Louisville’s WAVE3 news station said in a 2009 article that “[Islam] is one of the fastest growing, yet misunderstood religions,” and that “[t]he number of Muslims in Louisville dramatically increasing” (Ansari). This article goes on to discuss a new mosque that was built on Old Westport Road. This mosque measures in at 40,000 square feet, and is worth nearly $5 million dollars. With Louisville having roughly 7,000 Muslims, it would be hard not to attribute Islamic growth in this city to the Muhammad Ali.
Ali’s spirituality was born out of his conviction of the belief that Christianity was the religion of the oppressive white establishment. Ali Center defines Conviction as “A firm belief that gives one the courage to stand behind that belief, despite pressure to do otherwise.” While changing his name to Muhammad Ali was an act based on his Islamic spirituality, it was also based on his opposition towards white oppression. Ali spoke on this matter by asking the question, “Why should I keep my white slave master’s name visible and my black ancestors’ invisible, unknown, unhonored” (University of Louisville Libraries). Many people opposed Ali’s name change, including those from his hometown of Louisville. A Courier-Journal article written by local Joe Creason on April 4th, 1964 condemned Ali’s decision to change his name from Cassius Clay. Creason’s article laughed at Ali’s decision, as Creason expressed the idea that Ali had no clue about the great Kentuckian, Cassius Marcellous Clay, who Ali once shared a name with. Creason ended his article by saying, “And now Cassius, the latter, wants a fighting name! And chooses Muhammad Ali! Hah!!” While this conviction may have been a negative one towards Ali, the boxer’s spiritual actions inspired the local Creason, he was not alone in these ideas. Other locals also held personal convictions about Ali’s name changing, and even more had a conviction on the matter of Ali refusing to fight in the Vietnam War.
The most inspiring way the boxer expressed his belief in Islamic spirituality was through this conviction of being against war. Ali exemplified his principle of conviction by not allowing those who criticized him to deter him from his beliefs on peace. Ali was banned from boxing, stripped of all his titles, and even sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison and fined $10,000. None of this stopped Ali from standing up for what he believed in. This has left some Louisvillians like Delbert Warner, a Korean War veteran, to hold negative convictions about Ali. Warner spoke of his disapproval of Ali’s spiritual actions and convictions by telling the Courier- Journal in 2005, ‘“I just can’t like the guy. I don't think he had anymore right to stay out (of the Vietnam War) than the rest of them’'’ (Tompkins). Many shared this sentiment about Ali, but many more also shared Muhammad Ali’s conviction of not fighting in the war. Many Louisvillian’s express pride when discussing the boxer’s convictions for peace because of how honorable his actions were. According to a 2016 Courier-Journal article, two local veterans discussed “Ali in such glowing terms that the commentary and criticism about Ali being a draft dodger and a coward instantly shifted from asinine to disrespectful” (Johnson).
The courage that Ali showed throughout his spiritual convictions is something that Louisvillians take pride in and implement in their daily lives. Ali’s Islamic spirituality has had an impact on the growth of Islam in this city, and the renaming of Louisville’s airport to Louisville Muhammad Ali Interantional Airport only supports the idea that Ali has had a major local impact spiritually. Considering the negative ideas that surround Muslims and flight in this country, it goes a long way for the city of Louisville to have named it’s international hub after the most famous Muslim to ever live. Ali’s courage in conviction could be seen in the summer of 2020 after the unfortunate death of Breonna Taylor. The people of Louisville exemplified Ali’s principle of conviction by protesting police enforcement’s lack of accountability in what was thought to be an unwarranted killing of an African American woman sleeping in her home. Despite being in the middle of a global pandemic, despite the deployment of the National Guard, the implementation of a curfew, and little help from local politicians, Louisvillians have continued to protest in the streets of downtown Louisville for over a year.
Muhamad Ali once said, “It's the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen” (Johnson). This idea stands true in the actions of Muhammad Ali’s life, but also in the way the people of Louisville have repeatedly implemented Ali’s principles of spirituality and conviction. Through Muhammad Ali’s exemplery life, these principles have become ingrained in Louisville society because of the inspiration that the boxer had. When Ali passed away in 2016, thousands of Louisvillian’s and Muslims celebrated Ali’s life during his Islamic “jenazah” or funeral (Bittenbender). One Louisvillian wrote about Ali’s impact on their personal conviction about being from Louisville by saying, “I have become loud about where I am from, singing its praises every time I get the chance. Just like Muhammad Ali did” (Clayton). To Louisvillians, Ali was more than an icon. In Louisville, the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali is honored through the continued emphasis of his core principles because in Louisvile Ali is viewed as someone who is greater than oneself. The pride that Ali has brought to Louisville, through his globally inspiring spiritual actions, is something every Louisvillian has a strong conviction for.
Muhammad Ali was continuously referred to as Cassius Clay, even after changing his name. Here is a Courier-Journal article about a radio caller addressing Ali as Clay and asking about the boxer's name change. Courier-Journal March 31, 1964.
"The very dominant idea in Islam is the making of peace and not war; our refusal to go armed is our proof that we want peace. We felt that we had no right to take part in a war with nonbelievers of Islam who have always denied us justice and equal rights. . ."
-Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali’s Louisville: Giving and Dedication
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Muhammad Ali presents officials in Havana, Cuba with boxes of medicine
AFP/Getty
There are several things the city of Louisville, Kentucky holds close to its heart, but nothing compares to Muhammed Ali. Most People know Ali as an amazing boxer but overlook his huge role as an activist. He lived by six core principles but there are two that made him an amazing philanthropist – Giving and Dedication. Around the world, Muhammad Ali is seen as a global icon, but the people of Louisville, myself included, see Ali as much more. Growing up and hearing stories of Ali makes children want to be the same kind of person ‘The Greatest’ was. This can be seen in the way Louisvillians give back to their city and fight against larger structures that serve misjustice. A recent example of this is the protests surrounding the death of Breonna Taylor. In May of 2020, I found myself surrounded by approximately 600 other citizens protesting for the persecution of the police involved in the murder. On the way home my friend passed the Muhammed Ali Center and she pointed out that he would have been in the protests if he was still alive. That goes to show how big of an impact Ali had on the city and how his actions have trickled down through generations.
During Ali’s life he did a number of charitable things. When Ali was only 20, he donated ten percent of the proceeds from his fight with Charley Powell to the Robena No. 3 Disaster Trust Fund. He’s also done philanthropic acts on an individual basis. Everything from giving bicycles to underprivileged children in Louisville to talking a Vietnam veteran out of committing suicide. Ali has touched the lives of people all over the world and continues to contribute to communities through his charitable acts. Partnering with the University of Louisville the Muhammed Ali Institute for Peace and Justice helps children in violent areas by providing scholarships and training. The Ali Institute and scholars program grew out of Ali’s vision for the Muhammad Ali Center and the need for a research and academic component. It develops initiatives that support human dignity, foster responsible citizenship, further peace and justice and address the impact of violence in local, state, national, and international arenas. The Ali Institute has a special concern for young people living with violence in urban areas according to Louisville’s government website. The website goes on to say that the program does this by including “the Ali Scholars program, a unique two-year experience combining training, research and service in the areas of violence prevention, social justice and peacemaking in an urban living context.” Ali’s idea of giving back to the community after achieving fame has even inspired new emerging stars to give back to the community. This proves how serious he took the core principles of dedication and giving.
Louisville artist Bryson Tiller has shown his admiration for Ali through song lyrics and paying homage to the fellow resident following his death via twitter. They share a commonality beyond being famous personalities from the same city. Following in Ali’s footsteps, Tiller decided to give back to the community he was raised in once he reached celebrity status. In collaboration with Nike, Tiller renovated Wyandotte Park. With a new basketball court, the neighborhood of Wyandotte got to host more youth activities. Tiller even hosted a charitable basketball tournament on the opening week. Similar to Bryson Tiller, another celebrity has recently given back to the city. Local rapper Jack Harlow has also shown respect for Ali through his work and decided to join Tiller in efforts to improve the city. Harlow donated to five local charities: AMPED, The Center for Women and Families, Grace M. James Academy of Excellence, the Louisville Urban League, and Metro United Way. This was done through a crowd fundraiser he posted on social media, while also donating $500,000 of his own money to support two Historically Black Colleges in Louisville. Ali is from the Parklandneighborhood, Tiller is from Iroquois, and Harlow is from the Highlands; those areas of the city vary drastically in wealth and location, but Ali’s philanthropic work has still inspired both of these men to give back to their city. This trend of strengthening the community of the city shows that Ali’s core principle of giving has rubbed off on the youthful celebrities of Louisville.
After reading about how Ali’s legacy continues to help the city and encourage citizens to give back, I was inspired to ask people from different parts of the city that I know personally about how Ali’s work has impacted them. The first person I spoke with was Jackie Turnbull, a retired woman from Shively. When asked about Ali’s impact she said “I grew up being embarrassed about where I was from. I’d be at business meetings out of town and make up a city to claim because I thought people would assume I was uneducated since that’s the stigma from Kentucky”. Jackie continued to say, “After I visited the Muhammed Ali Center and learned about his six core principles (confidence, conflict, dedication, giving, respect, and individuality) I came to the realization that no matter where I’m from, if I have enough confidence, I can demand respect.” The second person I profiled was Alex Valdes, a pre-law student from the Newburg neighborhood. When asked about Ali he said, “I hated being here when I first moved from Jersey. I felt like this city was a decade behind the rest of the world and everyone thought I was being mean because of my New England dialect.” Alex continued to say, “Then I learned about Ali in one of my history classes. I saw him talk shit with the best of them but then turn around and give a large sum of his winnings to charity. It was the first time I felt like I could relate to the city.” After doing these profiles I realized that Ali’s core principle of dedication also has a tremendous impact on how citizens live. As seen with Jackie and Alex, Ali’s dedication to the city of Louisville has given them confidence in who they are and where they live.
The reason for this piece wasn’t to shed light on how great of a philanthropist Muhammed Ali was. It’s clear that Ali gave back to this city tremendously. The reason for this piece is to show that if you’re from Louisville you understand the principles of the man that came before you, and because of the pride he has shown towards this city, you feel the need to follow in his footsteps. Structures and places aren’t the only thing that can affect how you live. It goes without saying that where you live greatly impacts how you live, but not enough emphasis is put on the figures in the community. Ali’s work has influenced the lives of citizens more than any monument or landmark could because the actions he took throughout his life served as models for success, pride, courage, and devotion for where one lives.
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Harry Brill-Edwards thanking Muhammad Ali after helping him get released from Iraq
AP Photo
"I'm recognized all over the world now, but my greatness came and started in Louisville, Ky. And that's one of the greatest cities in America, Louisville, Ky."
-Muhammad Ali
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