The boxing world mourns the passing of Rahaman Ali, the younger brother of legendary heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, who died Friday at the age of 82 in Louisville, Kentucky. Known not only for his own professional boxing career but more significantly for his unwavering dedication to preserving his iconic brother’s extraordinary Ali Legacy, Rahaman Ali’s life was deeply intertwined with one of sport’s greatest Sports Figures.
Born Rudolph Arnett Clay, Rahaman Ali forged his own path in the demanding world of professional boxing, contributing to Boxing History as he competed as a heavyweight from 1964 to 1972. During his active years in the ring, he compiled a respectable record of 14 wins, three losses, and one draw, demonstrating a tenacity and skill characteristic of the Ali family name.
Despite his own athletic pursuits, Rahaman Ali chose to step away from his fighting career to become an essential pillar of support for Muhammad Ali during his meteoric rise to global superstardom. He frequently served as a chief sparring partner, providing crucial preparation, and remained a constant personal confidant, embodying the spirit of familial loyalty.
In the decades following Muhammad Ali’s retirement from boxing, Rahaman committed himself wholeheartedly to safeguarding and promoting his brother’s enduring influence. This profound dedication saw him engage in numerous public appearances and events, particularly at the Muhammad Ali Center, where he shared personal anecdotes and insights into their shared history.
His commitment extended to authorship, with Rahaman Ali penning two significant memoirs that offered unique perspectives on his celebrated sibling. These include “That’s Muhammad Ali’s Brother! My Life on the Undercard” published in 2014, and “My Brother, Muhammad Ali: The Definitive Biography” released in 2019, both serving as invaluable resources for understanding the Ali narrative.
DeVone Holt, President and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center, eloquently stated, “You can’t tell Muhammad’s story without mentioning Rahaman. He was one of the most constant sources of support for Muhammad during his career and their relationship was a true example of what it means to be ‘my brother’s keeper.’” This sentiment underscores the profound and inseparable bond shared by the brothers.
The passing of Rahaman Ali brings renewed focus to the monumental life of Muhammad Ali, who himself departed on June 3, 2016, at age 74. Muhammad Ali’s death in Scottsdale, Arizona, was attributed to septic shock following a respiratory illness, complications linked to his long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed in the 1980s.
Together, Rahaman and Muhammad Ali represented an indelible force in the boxing landscape of the 1960s and 1970s. Their intertwined careers and personal lives not only profoundly shaped the sport’s history but also served as a profound source of inspiration for countless generations of aspiring fighters and admirers worldwide, cementing the Ali name in the annals of athletic greatness.
