Muhammad Ali Boxing Gloves, 2005

File — Box: 4265.005

Scope and Contents

The collection contains a pair of laceless, 14 ounce, boxing gloves inscribed by Muhammad Ali in 2005. These gloves were never worn in any of Ali's boxing matches.

Dates

2005

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Access to portions of this collection has been restricted by Archives and Special Collections in order to preserve the original materials. Contact University Libraries Special Collections at archives@ua.edu or 205.348.0500 for information on access to the restricted portions of this collection.

The rest of the collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Biographical / Historical

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., on 17 January 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, is a former American boxer and three-time World Heavyweight Champion, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight championship boxers. As an amateur, he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. After turning professional, he went on to become the first boxer to win the lineal heavyweight championship three times. In 1964, Ali joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name from Clay to Ali. In 1967, Ali refused to be drafted into the United States military, based on his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War. He was arrested and convicted on draft evasion charges, stripped of his boxing title, and his boxing license was suspended. He was never imprisoned, but did not fight again for almost four years while his appeal worked its way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, where it was successful. Ali has been married four times and has seven daughters and two sons. In 1984, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, a disease to which those who have been subjected to severe head trauma, such as boxers, are more susceptible. Despite the disability, he has remained a beloved and active public figure. Besides lighting the flame at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, Ali has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. On 19 November 2005, just days after receiving the Medal of Freedom, the non-profit Muhammed Ali Center opened in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to displaying his boxing memorabilia, the center focuses on core themes of peace, social responsibility, respect, and personal growth.