This article only covers series-related information on Muhammad Ali
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Muhammad Ali was an American professional boxer, activist, and philanthropist. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century. From early in his career, Ali was known as an inspiring, controversial, and polarizing figure both inside and outside of the ring
Ali was a leading heavyweight boxer of the 20th century, and he remains the only three-time lineal champion of that division. His joint records of beating 21 boxers for the world heavyweight title and winning 14 unified title bouts stood for 35 years. Ali is the only boxer to be named The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year six times. He has been ranked the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, and as the greatest athlete of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated, the Sports Personality of the Century by the BBC, and the third greatest athlete of the 20th century by ESPN Sports Century.
References in Hajime no Ippo
- In Round 56, during Fujii Minoru interview with Hayami Ryūichi, Hayami was looking down on Makunouchi Ippo. Fuji thought Hayami was like Muhammad Ali, who liked to bad mouth his opponents in order to appease the media. But Fuji added that Ali was popular because he can back his mouth. Fuji thought if Hayami talked too much, he might end up embarrassing himself. Hayami somewhat agreed, but he didn't believe Ali was just a showman type, and his words were simply done for the media. He thought Ali forced it upon himself to pressure himself into a situation where he absolutely could not lose.
- Hayami believed that Japan should become like America, where the boxers should receive a lot more media attends and awards to go along with their efforts. He felt if there was charismatic boxers like Muhammad Ali or Sugar Ray Leonard for the fans to get behind, which was his goal.
- In Round 64, after Ippo defeated Hayami in the East Japan Rookie King Tournament Semi-Finals, Hayami told his coach they didn't need to push themselves on the loss since Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard lost sometimes too. Their legend of invincibility began after they lost. Hayami added that they need to believe in his road back, where the next time he steps into the ring will be the start of his legend.
- In Round 226, while Nekota Ginpachi demonstrated how to chop wood to Makunouchi Ippo. He shown off his back muscles from repeated chopping. He mentioned that George Foreman, Floyd Patterson, Henry Armstrong, and Muhammad Ali did it.
- He added that Muhammad Ali did it after he lost to Leon Spinks, where Ali laced power for a Heavyweight. So he needed a training method that would give him strength to push through younger boxers.
- In Round 233, when Ippo was chopping wood, he mentioned to Umezawa Masahiko that Muhammad Ali and George Foreman did it.
- In Round 635, before Ippo and Take Keīchi's match began, the announcer called Ippo "The People's Champion," a famous nickname of Ali's, before Ippo entered the ring.
- In Round 964, during the Manabu Itagaki vs. Takuma Saeki match in the Class A Tournament finals, Itagaki used the Ali Shuffle, something that Ali used.
- In Round 1143, the Kamogawa gym members wondered who Kurita Baron's ideal was. They believed that it was Hagler, Leonard, or Ali since it seems like Baron had high standards.
- In Round 1173, when Takamura Mamoru called being at the top of the peak, "extraordinary". Makunouchi Ippo asked him about what the view was like at the top, where he thought everything looked small. Takamura answered, "You can't see 'em. They're below the clouds, but the stars are very close and they shine really bright. Stars like Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali. They all grin down at you.."