Muhammad Ali - The Greatest Boxer

Muhammad Ali - 'The Greatest' Boxer Muhammad Ali was one of the most famous boxers of all time. His conversion to Islam and draft evasion conviction surrounded him with controversy and even exile from boxing for three years. Despite the hiatus, his quick reflexes and strong punches helped Muhammad Ali become the first person in history to win the heavyweight champion title three times. At the lighting ceremony at the 1996 Olympics, Muhammad Ali showed the world his strength and determination in dealing with the debilitating effects of Parkinsons syndrome. Dates: January 17, 1942 June 3, 2016 Also Known As: (born as) Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., The Greatest, the Louisville Lip Married: Sonji Roi (1964 - 1966)Belinda Boyd (1967 - circa 1977)Veronica Porche (1977 - 1996)Yolanda Lonnie Williams (1996 - Until his death) Childhood Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. at 6:35 p.m. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky to Cassius Clay Sr. and Odessa Grady Clay. Cassius Clay Sr. was a muralist, but painted signs for a living. Odessa Clay worked as a housecleaner and a cook. Two years after Muhammad Ali was born, the couple had another son, Rudolph (Rudy). A Stolen Bicycle Leads Muhammad Ali to Become a Boxer When Muhammad Ali was 12 years old, he and a friend went to the Columbia Auditorium to partake in the free hot dogs and popcorn available for visitors of the Louisville Home Show. When the boys were done eating, they went back to get their bicycles only to discover that Muhammad Alis had been stolen. Furious, Muhammad Ali went to the basement of the Columbia Auditorium to report the crime to police officer Joe Martin, who was also a boxing coach at the Columbia Gym. When Muhammad Ali said he wanted to beat up the person who stole his bike, Martin told him that he should probably learn to fight first. A few days later, Muhammad Ali began boxing training at Martins gym. From the very beginning, Muhammad Ali took his training seriously. He trained six days a week. On school days, he woke early in the morning so that he could go running and then would go workout at the gym in the evening. When Martins gym closed at 8 pm, Ali would then go train at another boxing gym. Over time, Muhammad Ali also created his own eating regimen that included milk and raw eggs for breakfast. Concerned about what he put in his body, Ali stayed away from junk food, alcohol, and cigarettes so that he could be the best boxer in the world. The 1960 Olympics Even in his early training, Muhammad Ali boxed like no one else. He was fast. So fast that he didnt duck punches like most other boxers; instead, he just leaned back away from them. He also didnt put his hands up to protect his face; he kept them down by his hips. In 1960, the Olympic Games were held in Rome. Muhammad Ali, then 18 years old, had already won national tournaments such as the Golden Gloves and so he felt ready to compete in the Olympics. On September 5, 1960, Muhammad Ali (then still known as Cassius Clay) fought against Zbigniew Pietrzyskowski from Poland in the light-heavyweight championship bout. In a unanimous decision, the judges declared Ali the winner, which meant Ali had won the Olympic gold medal. Having won the Olympic gold medal, Muhammad Ali had attained the top position in amateur boxing. It was time for him to turn professional. Winning the Heavyweight Title As Muhammad Ali started fighting in professional boxing bouts , he realized that there were things he could do to create attention for himself. For instance, before fights, Ali would say things to worry his opponents. He would also frequently declare, I am the greatest of all time! Often before a fight, Ali would write poetry that either called the round his opponent would fall or boast of his own abilities. Muhammad Alis most famous line was when he stated he was going to Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His theatrics worked. Many people paid to see Muhammad Alis fights just to see such a braggart lose. In 1964, even the heavyweight champion, Charles Sonny Liston got caught up in the hype and agreed to fight Muhammad Ali. On February 25, 1964, Muhammad Ali fought Liston for the heavyweight title in Miami, Florida. Liston tried for a quick knockout, but Ali was too fast to catch. By the 7th round, Liston was too exhausted, had hurt his shoulder, and was worried about a cut under his eye. Liston refused to continue the fight. Muhammad Ali had become the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. The Nation of Islam and Name Change The day after the championship bout with Liston, Muhammad Ali publicly announced his conversion to Islam. The public was not happy. Ali had joined the Nation of Islam, a group led by Elijah Muhammad that advocated for a separate black nation. Since many people found the Nation of Islams beliefs to be racist, they were angry and disappointed that Ali had joined them. Up to this point, Muhammad Ali was still known as Cassius Clay. When he joined the Nation of Islam in 1964, he shed his slave name (he had been named after a white abolitionist that had freed his slaves) and took on the new name of Muhammad Ali. Banned From Boxing for Draft Evasion During the three years after the Liston fight, Ali won every bout. He had become one of the most popular athletes of the 1960s. He had become a symbol of black pride. Then in 1967, Muhammad Ali received a draft notice. The United States was calling up young men to fight in the Vietnam War. Since Muhammad Ali was a famous boxer, he could have requested special treatment and just entertained the troops. However, Alis deep religious beliefs forbade killing, even in war, and so Ali refused to go. In June 1967, Muhammad Ali was tried and found guilty of draft evasion. Although he was fined $10,000 and sentenced to five years in jail, he remained out on bail while he appealed. However, in response to public outrage, Muhammad Ali was banned from boxing and stripped of his heavyweight title. For three and a half years, Muhammad Ali was exiled from professional boxing. While watching others claim the heavyweight title, Ali lectured around the country to earn some money. Back in the Ring By 1970, the general American public had become dissatisfied with the  Vietnam War  and was thus easing their anger against Muhammad Ali. This change in public opinion meant Muhammad Ali was able to rejoin boxing. After participating in an exhibition match on September 2, 1970, Muhammad Ali fought in his first real comeback bout on October 26, 1970, against Jerry Quarry in Atlanta, Georgia. During the fight, Muhammad Ali appeared slower than he used to be; yet before the start of the fourth round, Quarrys manager threw in the towel. Ali was back and he wanted to reclaim his heavyweight title. The Fight of the Century: Muhammad Ali vs.  Joe Frazier  (1971) On March 8, 1971, Muhammad Ali got his chance to win back the heavyweight title. Ali was to fight Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden. This fight, billed as the Fight of the Century, was viewed in 35 countries around the world and was the first fight Ali used his rope-a-dope technique. (Alis rope-a-dope technique was when Ali leaned himself on the ropes and protected himself while he let his opponent hit him repeatedly. The intention was to quickly tire out his opponent.) Although Muhammad Ali did well in a few of the rounds, in many others he was pounded by Frazier. The fight went the full 15 rounds, with both fighters still standing at the end. The fight was unanimously awarded to Frazier. Ali had lost his first professional fight and had officially lost the heavyweight title. Shortly after Muhammad Ali  had lost this fight with Frazier, Ali won a different kind of fight. Alis appeals against his draft evasion conviction had gone all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, who unanimously reversed the lower courts decision on June 28, 1971. Ali had been exonerated. The Rumble in the Jungle: Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman On October 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali had another chance at the championship title. In the time since Ali lost to Frazier in 1971, Frazier himself had lost his championship title to George Foreman. While Ali had won a rematch against Frazier in 1974, Ali was much slower and older than he used to be and was not expected to have a chance against Foreman. Many considered Foreman to be unbeatable. The bout was held in Kinshasa, Zaire and was thus billed as the Rumble in the Jungle. Once again, Ali used his rope-a-dope strategy - this time with much more success. Ali was able to tire out Foreman so much that by the eighth round, Muhammad Ali knocked Foreman out. For the second time, Muhammad Ali had become the heavyweight champion of the world. Thrilla in Manila: Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier Joe Frazier really did not like Muhammad Ali. As part of the antics before their fights, Ali had called Frazier an Uncle Tom and a gorilla, among other bad names. Alis comments greatly angered Frazier. Their third match against each other was held on October 1, 1975, and called Thrilla in Manila because it was held in Manila, Philippines. The fight was brutal. Both Ali and Frazier hit hard. Both were determined to win. By the time the bell for the 15th round was rung, Fraziers eyes were swollen nearly shut; his manager wouldnt let him continue. Ali won the fight, but he himself was badly hurt as well. Both Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought so hard and so well, that many consider this fight to be the greatest boxing fight in history. Winning the Championship Title a Third Time After the Frazier fight in 1975, Muhammad Ali announced his  retirement. This, however, did not last long as it was just too easy to pick up a million dollars here or there by fighting one more bout. Ali did not take these fights very seriously and became lax on his training. On February 15, 1978, Muhammad Ali was extremely surprised when novice boxer Leon Spinks beat him. The bout had gone all 15 rounds, but Spinks had dominated the match. The judges awarded the fight - and the championship title - to Spinks. Ali was furious and wanted a rematch. Spinks obliged. While Ali worked diligently to train for their rematch, Spinks did not. The fight did go the full 15 rounds again, but this time, Ali was the obvious winner. Not only did Ali win back the heavyweight champion title, he became the first person in history to win it three times. Retirement and Parkinsons Syndrome After the Spinks fight, Ali retired on June 26, 1979. He did fight Larry Holmes in 1980 and Trevor Berbick in 1981 but lost both fights. The fights were embarrassing; it was obvious that Ali should stop boxing. Muhammad Ali had been the greatest heavyweight boxer in the world three times. In his professional career, Ali had won 56 bouts and lost only five. Of the 56 wins, 37 of them were by knockout. Unfortunately, all of these fights took a toll on Muhammad Alis body. After suffering increasingly slurred speech, shaking hands, and over-tiredness, Muhammad Ali was hospitalized in September 1984 to determine the cause. His doctors diagnosed Ali with Parkinsons syndrome, a degenerative condition that results in decreased control over speech and motor skills. After being out of the limelight for more than a decade, Muhammad Ali was asked to light the Olympic flame during the Opening Ceremonies of the  1996 Olympics  in Atlanta, Georgia. Ali moved slowly and his hands shook, yet his performance brought tears to many who watched the Olympic lighting. Since then, Ali worked tirelessly to help charities around the world. He also spent a lot of time signing autographs. On June 3, 2016, Muhammad Ali died at age 74 in Phoenix, Arizona after suffering from respiratory problems. He remains a hero and icon of the 20th century.

Building Your Own Yurt Essays

Building Your Own Yurt Essays Building Your Own Yurt Paper Building Your Own Yurt Paper For someone who likes to go camping, learning to build a yurt can be an enjoyable experience. A yurt is a circular tent that nomads used as homes. It originated from the East, yurt being a Turkish word meaning a dwelling place. However, the yurt that is more popular now is actually the Mongolian ger, but both are referred to by the term yurt. Although yurts are now commercially available, they can be quite expensive. Instead of buying a yurt, an individual can just make his own instead. All that one needs are the materials, some basic carpentry and sewing skills, and time. Making ones own yurt costs less and will enable the owner to customize his yurt. Yurts have been preferred by campers for many reasons, including its durability and its capacity to accommodate a group of persons or families. A yurt can typically last a lifetime, and only its canvas covers needed to be changed after 2-3 years of regular use, being exposed to harsh environmental elements. Further the wooden latticework that serves as its frame makes it more stable than a regular tent, enabling it to withstand strong winds, rains and storms, even snow. Also, it provides more space, each yurt typically has an average of ten feet in diameter space within. Yurts are also easy to assemble, and if needed to be relocated one does not have to take it apart. Instead, a couple of people can transfer it to another place. It is also fairly easy to store and carry around. After all, nomadic people were able to lug it around with them wherever they went. To build ones own yurt, a person must first have an idea of how big he wants it to be. The yurt is sturdy because of its structure: all the components are entwined and are designed to keep standing even when a section gets destroyed. The dimensions, length and width of the materials need to be measured and predetermined exactly. The yurt has two main components: the wooden framework, and the canvas cover. The wooden frame has the following parts: the latticework walls called khana, the crown or toono, central supporting columns or bagana, roof poles called uni, and if one wants, a door. The cover is made traditionally from felt, but nowadays waterproof canvas is used. There are many books being sold and guides available in the internet on how to make ones own yurt, this paper will just outline the basic processes needed to construct one. The first step in making a yurt is to build the base, or the lattice framework. First, get the wooden rods and make and drill 3. 5mm holes nine inches apart, leaving two inches at one end and four at the other. Take 24 rods and tie them together by knotting a string at one end and passing the string through two corresponding holes. Remember to align all the top rods towards one direction, for example, to the left, and all the rods below to the right. Finish the ends using shorter length of rods, saw off the rods as needed. Then take another 24 rods and make another khana. For the door, saw the wood into two upright 1. 5-3 in diameter and 4 feet long, tapered at each end to fit into 1 holes drilled into the top and bottom of the frame. The top and bottom of the frame should be about 3 in diameter and 25 long, with the ends drilled for the tapered poles. The crown consists of a wooden wheel with hub and spokes. Drill 32 holes at the rim to take in the roof poles. Draw a 76 cm in diameter circle, and inside this draw another with a 60 cm diameter. Divide the circles into quarters, and cut out the quarters. Glue and clamp together the sections to complete the wheel, and for extra strength drill two holes through each section and secure with screws. Then drill 32 holes at the rim at an angle pointing upwards at the crown. To make the crown center cut out eight spokes of 38mm square timber 33cm long. Cut out another circle, to put the spokes into, drill holes, screw and glue the spokes to the rim and to the center. For the roof, take 32 1. 5m long poles. Drill 3. 5mm holes 25mm apart at one end, and pass a string through to form a loop that fits over a pole of the khana. The other end should fit into the holes of the crown. For the cover, make sure there is ample space to spread and sew the canvas. Measure the length of the khana and the roof, as this will determine the length of the canvas covering. For the roof, cut out 7 big sections of canvas enough to cover the roof. Take one section and cut into two, so as not to cover the crown. Stitch the hems of the sections before stitching them together. Make sure that the upper sections overlaps the lower one to ensure water to flow smoother when it rains. In the same way, cut two pieces of canvas enough to cover the whole circumference of the walls, with the height and length at least three feet longer to allow for shrinkage. Sew the two widths together, making sure that the top sheet overlaps the other by at least an inch to allow water to run off easily. Sew 1. 5 hems at the bottom and at the ends of the canvas. Fit the grommets to the hems, corresponding the grommets to the intersections at the top of the khana. Tie a string and make a loop through each grommet big enough to fit over the top of the poles. Finally, tie a 1m string to each of the grommets at the end. Lastly, take a piece of canvas as long as the two khana and 20cm wide. Sew hems at both sides and both ends. Fit two grommets at each corner of the canvass ends, and tie a piece of rope to make a loop. Tie a 1m rope to each loop. This is the tension band that will be used to hold the roof poles in place. To set up the yurt, unfold the two khana sections and set them upright in a circle. Tie the band on top of the walls. Get somebody to hold the crown at the center of the yurt, and then proceed to fit the string loop of each roof pole over the top of the wall pole and into the holes of the crown. Tie the band tightly around the entire yurt especially where the wall and roof poles meet. Pull the crown down hard to ensure that everything are securely set. Put up the khana cover, followed by tying down the roof cover with rope passing through the grommets. Tuck the hems, and fit the door. The entire process of making ones own yurt may take more than a few days to a week depending on the available time one has. However, once the yurt is built, it can be used and re-used, and can last a lifetime. Indeed, it can serve as a portable home to anyone who takes the time to build one, with all the work and effort that is put into creating a yurt. The best part is, anybody can make a yurt, and can ask family to help them build it so that they can enjoy it and the unique experience it offers with the outdoors sooner together .

A Good Man is Hard to Find Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

A Good Man is Hard to Find - Research Paper Example The short story, A Good Man is Hard to Find, is written by Flannery O’Connor. The book was written in 1953. The story, A Good Man is Hard to Find is found in the compilation of short stories, A Good Man is Hard to Find. Other individuals perceive all these occurring at once. This paper will look at how both the theme appears in the short story and how the theme appears in society. This is a short story that mainly makes people think about the probability of dramatic change in a person’s life. The old grandmother in the tale is seen as going through a miraculous and sudden change of heart after losing all members of her family and death herself. The old grandmother is tempted to kill the person who eliminated all her family members. Her actions raise a lot of questions; it is difficult to understand such an action  (Bandy 113). One is not able to explain if the grandmother’s action can be understood religiously or otherwise. This also raises questions on how an extreme event can cause such a situation. It raises questions on whether such a situation can occur at all. A Good Man is Hard to Find begins with the old grandmother protesting to her son, Bailey that she wants to go to Tennessee and not Florida, for the family holiday. Nevertheless, the family has its holiday in Florida. The old grandmother shows her family members malice by having an early day and waiting for them in the car. The old grandmother has worn her best clothes for the trip. She is dressed in her Sunday best so that in case of an accident occurs and she becomes a casualty, she will be identified as a lady. The old grandmother talks about her young days and also comments on whatever they see on the way, during the trip to Florida (O'Connor 23). The old grandmother claims that, during her early days, young people showed more respect to their parents and their homes and individuals only indulged in respectable activities. She also comments on a little pickaninny gesturing from a shack’s door. She claims that the Pickaninny almost certainly does not possess any britches. The old grandmother has a conversation with the owner of an old diner in which they were having lunch. The two were talking about a murderer and escaped convict called The Misfit. Both the grandmother and Red Sammy, the owner of the diner agree that it is difficult to find a decent man (Connie 75). Later on, when the family is back on the road, the old grandmother tries to derail the family members from their Florida trip. She tells the children tales of a nearby home she had stayed at as a young person. The grandmother intrigues the children with her stories of the home until they demand to visit the place. The children persuade their father until he accepts to take them to grandmother’s destination. The old grandmother realizes the home she had visited is not in Georgia but Tennessee. This is after they have covered some distance towards the wrong direction. She become s anxious, disturbs the cat, which is terrified, making the father lose control of the car and land in a trench below the road. After the accident, the old grandmother falsifies an internal harm to get sympathy from the family members. In contrast, the children are thrilled and perceive the accident as a quest. As the father, grandmother, and children are waiting for help, a car with three men, all with guns, approach the scene. One of the three men has glasses. He directs his accomplices to examine the car and engages the father, Bailey in courteous discussion. This is until the old grandmother recognizes him as The Misfit, the escaped convict and murderer. The Misfit directs his fellow criminals to kill the family