Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Muhammed Ali was born Cassius Clay in 1942. In what state was he born?
2. At the age of 11 Clay joined a boxing club run by a police officer. Why did he join this boxing club?
3. 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?
4. 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?
5. When Clay beat Sonny Liston to win the heavyweight title with a seventh round TKO, how old was he?
6. Immediately after winning the title Clay announced that he had converted to the nation of Islam (the Black Muslims), and that he was now to be called Muhammed Ali. The backlash from this announcement made virtually every major sporting center in the US refuse to host his rematch with Sonny Liston. Where was the fight finally held?
7. In 1967 Ali was convicted of refusing to be drafted into the United States armed forces. Every state revoked his boxing license and he was stripped of the heavyweight title. Who was the last man he defended the title against before this happened?
8. Throughout his ban from boxing Ali became one of the primary figures in the equal rights movement and even more of a hero to African-Americans for his persecution at the hands of the system. What 1970 documentary was made and released to theatres that showed this side of the man, as well as his boxing successes, to a national audience?
9. In 1970 Georgia was the first state to allow Ali a boxing license and he immediately staged a fight in Atlanta against the number one ranked heavyweight contender. Which boxer did he fight?
10. When Ali fought Joe Frazier in March, 1971 in his attempt to win back the heavyweight title, he had already been knocked down twice in his professional career. In what round did Frazier knock Ali down?
11. Ali began a campaign for another title shot immediately by fighting every heavyweight contender he could. Which opponent was so impressed with Ali's skill that after he was knocked out in the 11th round picked Ali up and tried to carry him around the ring?
12. In early 1973 Ali fought the California heavyweight champion who dealt him the second loss of his career. The fighter was Ken Norton, and Ali ran from him most of the fight because Norton hit him with a right early in the fight that broke Ali's jaw. What round was his jaw broken in?
13. While meeting with an upcoming opponent in the ABC studio on Wide World of Sports, Ali and the other fighter got into a scuffle that resulted in Ali having his own shoe thrown at him. Who was the opponent?
14. After beating Joe Frazier in a 1974 rematch, Ali got another shot at the title against George Foreman in Zaire. What future heavyweight champion did Ali take with him to Zaire as a sparring partner?
15. During the leadup to the Ali-Foreman fight, the bout was delayed due to an injury that Foreman incurred during training. What was the injury?
16. Ali would fight Joe Frazier a third time in 1975 as his fourth title defense since regaining the title. The 'Thrilla in Manilla' is one of the most exciting fights of all time, with both men giving it everything for the entire fight. Ali won when Frazier's cornermen refused to let come come out of his corner for the next round. After what round did this happen?
17. In September 1976 Ali won a unanimous decision over the number one contender to retain the title. His opponent believed that he had beaten Ali, and after the fight Ali admitted to sportswriters that he should have lost the fight. Who was his opponent?
18. As Ali's career wound down, he began fighting men who probably didn't deserve a title shot. One man he fought had only seven professional fights under his belt when he fought Ali. Which boxer was this?
19. Ali's final fight, as the beginning of an attempt to regain the title coming out of retirement, was against what future heavyweight champion?
20. After retiring from boxing, Ali urged his fans to support the new champion, Larry Holmes. He said, 'Give Larry all of the love and encouragement you gave me, at least until ______ _______ '?
Source: Author
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