Ali being billed as Cassius Clay years after he changed his name?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by GoldenHulk, Mar 25, 2018.


  1. GoldenHulk

    GoldenHulk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I've seen many fight posters of Ali's fights where he is referred to as Muhammad Ali AKA Cassius Clay, years after he changed his name after beating Sonny Liston in 1964.
    If I'm not mistaken he was still referred to this way for his first fight against Joe Frazier in 1971!
    Does anyone no why, was it racism, etc. Thanks for any information.
     
    GoldenHulk, Mar 25, 2018
    GoldenHulk, Mar 25, 2018
    #1
  2. Grapefruit

    Grapefruit Active Member Full Member

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    I don' know, but i got friends that changed their names years ago and I still call them by what I know them by, but i think they also might have wanted to get a reaction out of Ali.
     
    Grapefruit, Mar 25, 2018
    Grapefruit, Mar 25, 2018
    #2
  3. Webbiano

    Webbiano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ive always found Muhammad Ali to be at massive contradiction. The fact he was named after a White abolitionist, it seems odd that he made such a big deal about changing his 'slave name'
     
    Webbiano, Mar 25, 2018
    Webbiano, Mar 25, 2018
    #3
  4. GoldenHulk

    GoldenHulk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I don't think that Grady Clay was an abolitionist, I believe he was the white slave owner who owned Ali's ancestors on his father's side, that's how he got the last name Clay.
     
    GoldenHulk, Mar 25, 2018
    GoldenHulk, Mar 25, 2018
    #4
  5. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    I assumed it was a spiteful reaction to his joining the anti-white Nation of Islam.
     
    mrkoolkevin, Mar 25, 2018
    mrkoolkevin, Mar 25, 2018
    #5
  6. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Doesn’t really answer your question but kind of interesting nonetheless:

    https://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/06/10/sports/muhammad-ali-name-cassius-clay-newspapers.html
     
    mrkoolkevin, Mar 25, 2018
    mrkoolkevin, Mar 25, 2018
    #6
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  7. Webbiano

    Webbiano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Cassius Marcellus Clay
     
    Webbiano, Mar 25, 2018
    Webbiano, Mar 25, 2018
    #7