“Beautiful women frighten most men,” Muhammad Ali’s wife once HILARIOUSLY exposed ‘The Greatest’ from their first encounter

Muhammad Ali's wife tells the story of how one of history's greatest and most famous athletes was terrified when they first met

“Beautiful women frighten most men,” Muhammad Ali’s wife once HILARIOUSLY exposed ‘The Greatest’ from their first encounter

Muhammad Ali and his wife (via People Magazine)

Muhammad Ali is celebrated as one of the most significant sports figures in history. His influence extends beyond boxing, as he was also a prominent social activist. Despite being one of the most famous and respected athletes of all time, Ali was still afraid of his wife.

In one of the many interviews that Muhammad Ali gave, he was accompanied by his wife. When the reporter asked what how she found out Ali was scared of her, she revealed an interesting story. Ali’s wife revealed that they met when he was in Salt Lake City for an exhibition match. She recalled that when she met Muhammad Ali, he was unusually quiet. She said that it was later when Ali revealed that she knew he was afraid. Ali responded to this by saying:

Beautiful women just frighten most men.
YouTube video

Muhammad Ali married four times. His wives were Sonji Roi (first wife), Belinda Boyd, later known as Khalilah Ali (second wife), Veronica Porché Ali (third wife), and Lonnie Ali (fourth wife). Each marriage played a unique role in Ali’s life and contributed to his personal and public narrative.

FS Video

Muhammad Ali began his boxing career at age 12. Winning a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at 18, he turned professional in 1960. Ali is widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight boxer. His career boasted 56 wins and five losses. Ali won a gold medal in the 1960 Olympics in Rome. He retired in 1981.

How did Muhammad Ali contribute to MMA?

Muhammad Ali’s role in early MMA was highlighted in his iconic match against Antonio Inoki in June 1976. This bout, a crossover between boxing and wrestling, played a significant role in shaping mixed martial arts (MMA) as we know it today.

Muhammad Ali Antonio Inoki
Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki; 1976 ( Image via X )

Inoki, a professional wrestler, utilized leg kicks and ground maneuvers. The Japanese fighter mixed striking and grappling techniques. The fight saw Inoki’s strategy of staying on the ground, kicking at Ali’s legs. This defensive approach led to a somewhat anticlimactic contest, with limited action in the ring.

Notably, the bout had consequences for Ali. It caused him to suffer two blood clots and an infection in his leg due to Inoki’s grounded kicks. Ali’s involvement in this unique encounter contributed to the evolution of MMA, influencing the integration of diverse fighting styles. Josh Gross, author of “Ali vs. Inoki: The Forgotten Fight That Inspired Mixed Martial Arts and Launched Sports Entertainment,” delves into the significance of this match, emphasizing its impact on the development of MMA.

In case you missed it!