What Happened When Little Muhammad Ali’s Bicycle Got Stolen?

He has been the greatest heavyweight in the history of boxing and will probably remain so for years to come. All through his illustrious career, there has never been a moment where Muhammad Ali has failed to inspire. Every single victory of his has been earned by sweat and blood while every defeat has only been an impetus to bounce back as sharp as a bullet ricocheting from steel.

The immortal sports icon has left behind a tremendous legacy no doubt, but the inspection of the legacy begun with a story that’s just shows how destiny was conspiring to make a legend out of a little boy of 12.

When the butterfly hadn’t yet learnt to sting like a bee

Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Clay on January 17, 1942 and was growing up in the streets of Louisville, Kentucky like most other boys of his age. It was not the best time for black people to live in America.

Racial discrimination was quite the norm in Kentucky in those times and they didn’t have any voting rights either. Clay’s father made a humble living as a sign painter and his mother would cook for the wealthy.

 

His parents gifted him a bicycle on his 12th birthday

It goes without saying that Clay wasn’t raised in affluence. Therefore, it is only natural that when his parents gave him a bicycle on his 12th birthday, young Clay was a bit more than overjoyed.

It doesn’t take one to be a fan of Muhammad Ali to know how precious the first bicycle is to child – we have all been there, haven’t we?

 

However, the poor boy’s new ride was stolen

Clay was attending a convention of the Louisville Service Club with a friend at the Columbia auditorium. While returning to their bicycles from the auditorium, having freshly indulged in free pop-corn and ice-cream, Clay found himself in rage and tears to see his favorite bicycle stolen.

Although, he was only 12 years old, this is Muhammad Ali we’re talking about and so, you see, it was only natural that Clay wouldn’t take it sitting down when his bicycle was stolen.

 

So, he asked around for help until he met Joe Martin

A frantic little Clay was tugging every coat at the auditorium premises for help until he was directed to the auditorium basement. Now, in the basement was Joe Martin who was manning the boxing gym. When Clay approached Joe, he listened very carefully to the teary but fierce little plaintiff and his threats about what he would do the thief if he ever found him.

 

“Well, do you know how to fight?” Joe asked little Clay

Apparently, the feisty little future heavyweight champion replied, “No, but I’d fight anyway.” The next few words that Joe spoke to Clay was going to be the golden piece of advice that would change little Clay’s life forever.

He said, “Why don’t you learn something about fighting before you go and make any hasty challenges?” which perhaps, had made sense to the young kid for he took Joe Martin to be first ever boxing trainer, thereafter.

 

What followed was the beginning of a new page in history

Clay began his tremendous amateur career under the tutelage of Joe Martin which lasted for six years. The foundation was laid for making the biggest boxing legend of the future in those six years. Clay went on to win the world heavyweight championship title at the of 22 and never really looked back from that moment onward.

The biggest phenom that has ever walked around inside the boxing ring was a just a boy crying over his stolen bicycle – a moment that was only a blessing in disguise.

And, that’s how it all started.

Cover Image Source