Great Britain’s very own Muhammad Ali is heading to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, three months after his namesake and world-famous heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali died . The young Muhammad Ali has more than just a name in common with the heavyweight boxing legend, as he is also set on the track to boxing triumph.
Named after the greatest boxer of all time, the 20-year-old flyweight (52 kg) rising star is targeting the second gold Olympic boxing medal earned by a Muhammad Ali, after the boxing legend won during Rome 1960. However, this won't be this young Ali's first Olympic medal, as he already won bronze at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games.
British Ali told Irish Mirror, "I’ve always looked up to Ali. He was a good human being. He said what he believed in. I respect that."
Ali is the youngest on the British 12-strong boxing squad participating in the Rio Olympics. He reserved his Olympic spot by winning first-place at the 2016 European Qualifiers.
In 2015, Ali earned a gold medal in the English National Championship and the British Championship, in addition to a silver in the European Confederation Boxing Championship. He also represented the British team at the European Games in Baku. However, he failed to claim a spot on the podium and ranked 10th overall.
Ali’s success at senior championships was no surprise, as he achieved remarkable results at the junior level. He won a total of seven gold medals in the English Youth National, British Youth National and British Junior championships, along with a gold in the 2014 European Youth Continental Championships, plus a silver in the 2014 AIBA Youth World Championships.
He trains in the same gym and with the same coach as Amir Khan, British Olympic medalist and World Champion, who speaks highly of Ali.
"Muhammad has really caught my eye already - he's got a lot of talent and has already accomplished so much at a young age," Khan told Bolton News . "They keep producing great amateurs in this country and Muhammad could be the latest who comes through in time to go to Rio and be a big success."
When asked what having his name was like, Ali said, "I get asked about it all the time. I won’t say it’s been an advantage, but people do say, 'Who is this?'."
As for how he views himself compared to the legend, Ali replied, "I don't worry too much about the opposition like he did, I don't play the mind games. Ali was a master of that. He loved to talk didn't he?” He added, “I am a bit quieter, not as outgoing, I would love to be but it is just not me."
Nonetheless, he surely has his namesake's love and passion for the sport. Ali had refused to give up on boxing, despite his family’s concerns, after an unfortunate brain injury ended his younger brother’s promising boxing journey at the age of fourteen.