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100 Muhammad Ali Trivia Questions, Answers, and Fun Facts

How much do you know about Muhammad Ali? This category is for trivia questions and answers related to Muhammad Ali (Sports). Each one is filled with fun facts and interesting information.
1 Ali, fighting under his birth name Cassius Clay, won a gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in the light heavyweight division. Who did he beat in the gold medal match?
Answer: Zbigniew Pietrzykowski

Clay won the gold medal bout by a 5-0 scoreline. Pietrzykowski never made it in the professional game, but did win a bronze in the 1964 Summer Olympics to add to his silver in 1960. Madigan lost in the semi-finals to Clay, and went on to win two Commonwealth Games gold medals, taking the top prize in 1958 and 1962. Shatkov was beaten by Clay in the quarter-finals, but had previously won the gold medal in the 1956 Summer Olympics at middleweight. Hunsaker was Clay's first professional opponent on 29th October 1960, losing to the future world champion in a six round decision.
  From Quiz: The Life and Times of Muhammad Ali
2 "If he even dreams about beating me, he better wake up and apologise" Before which fight did Ali say this of his opponent?
Answer: Jimmy Ellis

This fight was a strange one for Ali as Ellis was one of the few boxers that he knew from his own stable (26th July 1971). Ellis lived in the shadow of Ali as both were from Louisville and both had sparred thousands of hours together, if anyone knew how Ali boxed it was Ellis. What made it even stranger was that Angelo Dundee was in the Ellis corner and not Ali's. Priot to the match the Supreme Court quashed his five year prison sentence and overturned the draft conviction, and at last Ali felt he was free. Ellis came out strong, but Ali was in no danger at any stage and in the fourth gave a right jab that shook Ellis. The rest of the fight was like a sparring contest for Ali, who ended it in the twelfth. Both embraced, Ali showed a sign of care for one of his rivals.
    Your options: [ Buster Mathis ] [ Jimmy Ellis ] [ Jurgen Blin ] [ Mac Foster ]
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali Quotes: Pt 2
3 "I tried just about every trick i knew to throw him off balance, but he was just too good." Which boxer made this quote after Cassius Clay began his route to stardom in his first professional fight?
Answer: Tunney Hunsaker

This was the first pro fight for Clay and it took place at the Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky (Clay's home town) on 29th October 1960. The fight lasted six rounds and Clay won it on an easy points decision.
    Your options: [ Herb Siler ] [ Jim Robinson ] [ Tony Esperti ] [ Tunney Hunsaker ]
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali Quotes: Pt 1
4 By the start of this fight, how many years had passed since Ali was stripped of his heavyweight title?
Answer: 7

By October 1974, seven years had passed since Ali was stripped of his title for refusing induction into the U.S. Army on April 28, 1967.
  From Quiz: The Rumble in the Jungle
5 Ali won the title for the first time by defeating Sonny Liston, but why was the fight in doubt immediately beforehand?
Answer: Ali's blood pressure at the weigh-in was very high.

When Ali's blood pressure was taken by the fight doctor during the weigh-in, it was found to be almost twice the normal amount. The doctor threatened to call off the fight there and then. Later in the day, Angelo Dundee had Ali's pressure taken again and it was found to be normal.
  From Quiz: The Greatest of All Time
6 In which country did Cassius Clay win an Olympic Gold Medal?
Answer: Italy

Louisville's Cassius Clay, fighting in the light heavyweight class, won a gold medal at the Rome Olympics.
    Your options: [ Canada ] [ Mexico ] [ Italy ] [ US ]
  From Quiz: Boxing Great Muhammad Ali
7 Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. on January 17, 1942 in which U.S. city?
Answer: Louisville, Kentucky

Early in his career the loquacious boxer became known as the 'Louisville Lip'.
    Your options: [ Louisville, Kentucky ] [ Lexington, Kentucky ] [ Nashville, Tennessee ] [ Memphis, Tennessee ]
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali - The Greatest
8 Who was the first European fighter that Cassius Clay faced as a professional?
Answer: Willi Besmanoff

A Jewish German, Besmanoff was a survivor of Buchenwald concentration camp before becoming a contender in the 1950s. Clay beat Besmanoff on 29 November 1961 for his tenth professional victory. Clay fought Sabedong in June 1961 for his seventh win, but he was an American. Clay beat Miteff in October 1961, but Miteff was an Argentinian citizen. His first fight against Cooper came in June 1963, with Clay defeating the Brit via a fifth round technical knockout.
  From Quiz: The Life and Times of Muhammad Ali
9 "This is an easy way to make a livin'" Ali said this at the end of the fifth round after defeating whom?
Answer: Jerry Quarry

The first fight between the two had ended with Quarry gaining a cut in what was the Ali comeback fight. Quarry stood little chance as Ali was feeling mean and mocked his rival "Your punches don't hurt me and I have no respect for you". Quarry huffed and puffed but Ali was in no mood to lessen his grip on this fight and by the fifth he was in full Louisville Lip mode with "this is an easy way to make a livin'" The fight ended in round seven. Chuvalo's second bout saw Ali win on a point's decision after twelve rounds (1st May 1972). Patterson fought Ali for the second time and like the first fight was beaten this time in the seventh (20th Sep 1972). Lewis fought Ali once and was knocked out in the eleventh (19th July 1972).
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali Quotes: Pt 2
10 "If I can't beat this bum I better change my plans. He ain't even ranked." In February 1961, Clay fought this fifth pro bout in Florida, but which opponent did he use these chosen words on route to a seventh round TKO?
Answer: Donnie Fleeman

Prior to this fight, Clay took to sparring with the big Swedish fighter Ingemar Johansson. There are conflicting stories on how Clay humilated the world champion during a sparring contest. Johansson was in the Fifth Street Gym where Clay was training, Clay shouted across, "I'll go dancing, with Johansson". The pair took to the ring and Clay jabbed Johansson so many times that the Swede lost his cool, threw a punch, missed, and had Clay mocking him with the line "You shouldn't be fighting Patterson (the world title bout was Johansson vs. Floyd Patterson), I should."
    Your options: [ Lamar Clarke ] [ Alonzo Johnson ] [ Koko 'Duke' Sabedong ] [ Donnie Fleeman ]
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali Quotes: Pt 1
11 Where and when did this fight occur?
Answer: Kinshasa, Zaire, on October 30, 1974

The fact that the bout took place in such an exotic region added an extra layer of interest. Never before had such an important fight been staged in Africa.
    Your options: [ Tokyo, Japan, on December 18, 1977 ] [ New York, New York, on August 13, 1977 ] [ Paris, France, on July 15, 1968 ] [ Kinshasa, Zaire, on October 30, 1974 ]
  From Quiz: The Rumble in the Jungle
12 Who did Ali make his first defence of the title against?
Answer: Sonny Liston

Ali fought Liston again in a rematch for the title which was also Ali's first defence. It had a controversial ending when Liston was downed by a so-called 'phantom punch' at 1.42 in the first round. Many thought Liston had thrown the fight and he never again was to challenge for the title.
  From Quiz: The Greatest of All Time
13 At the age of 11 Clay joined a boxing club run by a police officer. Why did he join this boxing club?
Answer: Someone stole his bike and he wanted to beat them up

He complained about the stolen bike to the police officer in question and said he wanted to find the thief and 'whip' him. The cop told him he better learn to fight first.
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali - Heavyweight Champion
14 Muhammad Ali won a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics. In which city were the games held that year?
Answer: Rome

Ali fought as a Light Heavyweight in the Olympics.
    Your options: [ Rome ] [ Mexico City ] [ Melbourne ] [ Sydney ]
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali - The Greatest
15 In what year did Clay convert to Islam?
Answer: 1961

Clay attended his first meeting with the Nation of Islam in 1961, but decided to keep this hidden from the media. Leaders of the Nation of Islam had been sceptical about welcoming him due to his boxing career, but were much more receptive to him after becoming world champion.

He first met Malcolm X, his spiritual mentor, in 1962. However, Clay lost contact with him when the Nation of Islam parted ways with him. The Nation's leader Elijah Muhammad bestowed the name "Muhammad Ali" upon Clay, and Clay announced the permanent name change in March 1964.
  From Quiz: The Life and Times of Muhammad Ali
16 Which former marine beat Ali by breaking his jaw in the second round of their fight (which went to the twelfth), and had Angelo Dundee hear Ali say: "I can beat this sucker, he won't touch my jaw"?
Answer: Ken Norton

Norton had been paid just $300 in his previous fight and no one saw his talents coming until this famous night in San Diego (31st March 1973). Round two saw Norton, trained by Eddie Futch (the man who engineered the Frazier victory over Ali), throw a right hand jab that broke Ali's jaw. Angelo Dundee wanted the fight stopped immediately and asked Ali to stop the fight, "No I can beat this sucker, he won't touch my jaw". Dundee was impressed with Ali's courage but Norton held firm and won the fight on a narrow points decision, to inflict Ali's second pro fight defeat.
    Your options: [ Joe Bugner ] [ Ken Norton ] [ Bob Foster ] [ Rudi Lubbers ]
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali Quotes: Pt 2
17 What was the name of George Foreman's sparring partner that caused a cut over his eye causing the bout to be postponed?
Answer: Bill McMurray

A week before the fight, originally scheduled for September 24, 1974, Foreman was cut over his eye in the last round of his sparring session. The fight had to be pushed back to October 30, 1974. Bill McMurray was a part time truck driver and George Foreman's sparring partner for this fight. Originally, McMurray claimed a punch caused the cut, but later changed his mind and said it was an errant elbow.
  From Quiz: The Rumble in the Jungle
18 What was the name of the Canadian fighter who challenged Ali for the title on March 29, 1966?
Answer: George Chuvalo

George Chuvalo put up a game performance against Ali but he was outgunned. He lasted the full fifteen rounds and went on to retain his record of never being knocked down in his career.
  From Quiz: The Greatest of All Time
19 After joining the Nation of Islam (the Black Muslims) he changed his name, but not to Muhammed Ali (this name was weeks later given to him by Elijah Mohammed). What did Cassius Clay initially change his name to?
Answer: Cassius X

Following the lead of Malcolm X, Clay dismissed his 'slave name' and adopted the surname 'X'. When Elijah Mohammed granted him a Muslim name, he adopted it instead.
  From Quiz: Ali: Activist, and Humanitarian
20 After winning Olympic gold and turning professional, Clay was sponsored by a group of Louisville businessmen who hired his first pro trainer. What legendary boxer did they hire as his trainer?
Answer: Archie Moore

Moore was soon released as he proved too strict for the free-spirited Clay. Two years later he was also the victim of a fourth round knockout at the hands of Clay.
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali - Heavyweight Champion
21 For how long was Muhammad Ali out of boxing because his license was suspended?
Answer: Three and a half years

Ali did not box from 1967 until 1970 due to being banned and stripped of his titles for refusing military service. His license was also suspended. He lost his licence in April 1967 and it was re-instated in October 1970.
His last fight was against Zora Folley in March 1967, and his first was against Jerry Quarry in October 1970.
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali - The Greatest
22 After which fight did Ali's beaten opponent say:? "He could psyche you out mentally, he could psyche you out physically, and while you were doing certain things, he was master of boxing and he would counter that"
Answer: Ken Norton

Ali's words got better, "Is he still the faster and most beautiful man in the world? or is he growing old or slow? I took a nobody and created a monster. Now I have to punish him bad..." Ali prepared for this fight with great care; he was in the best shape of his life. He wanted to show the world that his best was still to come. The opening rounds saw Ali pick Norton off at will and he held a big point's lead, but Norton was no quitter and by the last round of twelve the cards were level. Ali won on points which Norton felt was an injustice, but he never questioned Ali's greatness, "Ali was a man who knew the ins and outs of boxing totally, he could psyche you out mentally, he could psyche you out physically, and while you were doing certain things, he was master of boxing and he would counter that".
    Your options: [ Chuck Wepner ] [ Ken Norton ] [ Ron Lyle ] [ Joe Bugner ]
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali Quotes: Pt 2
23 Who was the referee for the fight?
Answer: Zack Clayton

Clayton was the first black man to referee a world heavyweight championship fight. His first active refereeing job was the second Walcott- Charles fight, on June 5, 1952.
  From Quiz: The Rumble in the Jungle
24 Henry Cooper fought Ali twice, in 1963 and again in 1966. During the 1963 encounter, Henry managed to floor Ali with a left hook at the end of the fourth. What was the nickname given to this punch?
Answer: Enry's Hammer

Henry Cooper remains a much loved British sporting hero. Now Sir Henry, he was renowned for being the only man to win three Lonsdale Belts outright.
  From Quiz: The Greatest of All Time
25 Which boxer did Cassius Clay make his professional debut against?
Answer: Tunney Hunsaker

On October 29th, 1960, Clay made his professional debut against Tunney Hunsaker and won a six round decision.
    Your options: [ Jim Robinson ] [ Herb Siler ] [ Tunney Hunsaker ] [ Doug Jones ]
  From Quiz: Boxing Great Muhammad Ali
26 Showing his usual flamboyance, when a reporter asked him to describe his place in the boxing world, what did Ali claim to be?
Answer: The 'Elvis' of boxing

Just an interesting quote Ali made in 1966...
  From Quiz: Ali: Activist, and Humanitarian
27 In the months before he received his title shot, Clay had a very tough fight with a journeyman boxer that many at ringside believe should have won the descision. What was the name of this boxer that nearly beat Clay?
Answer: Doug Jones

Despite giving Clay such a good fight, Jones was never really an important contender to the heavyweight title. The other three boxers (Henry Cooper, Charlie Powell, and Bill Daniels) were all knocked out by Clay around the same time as the Jones fight.
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali - Heavyweight Champion
28 Who did Muhammad Ali fight in the 'Rumble in the Jungle'?
Answer: George Foreman

Ali beat Foreman in 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire.
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali - The Greatest
29 Of whom did Clay say: "He hit me so hard it jarred my kinfolk in Africa".
Answer: Henry Cooper

The fight with Cooper was the first one of Clay's career to see him put down on the canvas. The fight was to spark life and controversy when the London born fighter hit Clay with 'Enery's Ammer'. Clay was knocked so hard that Dundee could see his protege had been hurt. The bell came to Clay's rescue and what followed some say was one of the worst acts of sportsmanship to have ever been seen in the ring.

To buy some time for Clay, Dundee asked to change the glove that so happened to have a small tear in it, this was allowed and it gave Clay the extra minute to get his thoughts together. Clay came out in the fifth and set about making Cooper's face look a total mess, the Londoner could not hold on and hit the floor to lose by knockout.
    Your options: [ Charlie Powell ] [ George Logan ] [ Doug Jones ] [ Henry Cooper ]
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali Quotes: Pt 1
30 Who did Ali fight first on his comeback to the ring after being stripped of his title for refusing to enter the military?
Answer: Jerry Quarry

Ali's comeback fight occured in, of all places, Atlanta, Georgia, on October 25, 1970. He then fought Oscar Bonavena, a tough fighter from Argentina, before challenging for the title.
  From Quiz: The Greatest of All Time
31 In which city did Ali win the heavyweight championship of the world for the third time?
Answer: New Orleans

On September 15th, 1978, Ali defeated Leon Spinks at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
    Your options: [ Miami Beach ] [ Las Vegas ] [ New Orleans ] [ New York ]
  From Quiz: Boxing Great Muhammad Ali
32 When Elijah Mohammed gave Cassius Clay the name Muhammed Ali, it was because he would be a messenger of the Islamic faith. This would later be used as Ali's argument against being drafted. What was Ali's 'official title' in the Nation of Islam?
Answer: Travelling Bishop

Ali was considered within the Nation of Islam to be a bishop, whose responsibilities are to carry the word of Allah to others.
  From Quiz: Ali: Activist, and Humanitarian
33 When Clay beat Sonny Liston to win the heavyweight title with a seventh round TKO, how old was he?
Answer: 22

As he said in the ring following the fight, 'I don't have a mark on my face, I upset Sonny Liston, and I just turned 22 years old. I must be The Greatest!'
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali - Heavyweight Champion
34 Who did Muhammad Ali fight in the 'Thrilla in Manila'?
Answer: Joe Frazier

Ali beat Frazier in the legendary 1975 Philippine bout.
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali - The Greatest
35 How many knockouts did George Foreman have in his 40 fights prior to this fight?
Answer: 37

George Foreman had knocked out 37 of his 40 opponents prior to facing Ali. Like most knockout artists, Foreman believed his awesome punching power could overcome any obstacle.
  From Quiz: The Rumble in the Jungle
36 In which round did Joe Frazier stop Ali to retain his title on the first occasion the two met, March 8, 1971?
Answer: He didn't stop him, he won on points.

Although Joe knocked down Ali in the 15th round, Ali was able to hold on until the final bell. However, Joe's ability to get in under Ali's jab and hook to the body had established too big a lead in the latter stages of the fight. The knockdown had only added to Joe's lead. Joe won unanimously.
    Your options: [ He didn't stop him, he won on points. ] [ 14th ] [ 8th ] [ 15th ]
  From Quiz: The Greatest of All Time
37 Which journeyman heavyweight fighter fought Leon Spinks to a draw, just four months before Spinks upset Ali in 1978?
Answer: Scott Ledoux

In October of 1977, Leon Spinks fought to a draw with a no-name heavyweight named Scott Ledoux.
    Your options: [ Tim Youngstown ] [ Jamie Sharp ] [ Scott Ledoux ] [ Mike Morgan ]
  From Quiz: Boxing Great Muhammad Ali
38 When Ali was initially tested by the draft board, he was assigned the draft classification '1Y' (ineligible to serve). Why did Ali receive this classification?
Answer: He failed the intelligence tests

Never a very strong reader as a young man, Ali failed the draft board's intelligence tests. Publicly humiliated, Ali told reporters, 'I said I was the Greatest, not the smartest.'
  From Quiz: Ali: Activist, and Humanitarian
39 Against which boxer did Muhammad Ali first use his 'Rope-a-Dope' strategy?
Answer: George Foreman

Ali used Rope-a-Dope against the hard-punching Foreman in their 1974 Zaire fight.
    Your options: [ George Foreman ] [ Floyd Patterson ] [ Leon Spinks ] [ Ernie Terrell ]
  From Quiz: Muhammad Ali - The Greatest
40 After a three and a half year absence, Muhammad Ali returned to the ring in October 1970. How many fights did Ali win before getting a shot at the world title again?
Answer: 2

In August 1970, Ali was given a license to fight in the city of Atlanta, thanks to Georgia senator Leroy R. Johnson. On October 26, Ali fought Jerry Quarry in Atlanta's Municipal Auditorium, and won after Quarry did not answer the bell after the third round. Two months later, he battled with Argentinian Oscar "Ringo" Bonavena at Madison Square Garden. Ali put in a sluggish performance, winning by technical knockout in the 15th round.
  From Quiz: The Life and Times of Muhammad Ali
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