Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, widely recognized as one of the greatest boxers of all time, was not just a titan in the sports world but also a social activist, poet, and to the surprise of many, a witness to Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), commonly referred to as UFOs.

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali began boxing at the age of 12. While he demonstrated an undeniable talent for the sport, he struggled academically. Ali was dyslexic, which made reading and writing a challenge. He completed his schooling at Central High School in Louisville, but his primary focus soon shifted solely to boxing, which meant that his formal education did not extend beyond high school.

From a young age, Ali’s primary profession was boxing. His prowess in the ring was evident when he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Shortly thereafter, he turned professional. Throughout his illustrious career, Ali became a three-time world heavyweight champion. His fights, such as “The Rumble in the Jungle” against George Foreman and the “Thrilla in Manila” against Joe Frazier, are legendary.

Muhammad Ali on multiple occasions, claimed to have witnessed UAPs, especially during his early morning runs. One such incident was reported in the National Enquirer in 1970, where Ali described seeing a hovering object about half the size of the moon as he ran near New York’s Central Park.

In a conversation with Johnny Carson, Ali explained that he had been studying UFOs and was surprised that people didn’t discuss them more, given their evident presence. He stated that he had viewed movie films of these unidentified flying objects and was convinced of their authenticity. Ali described seeing what looked like a bright star in the early hours of the morning, around 4 to 5 am. This “star” would change its position, moving in different directions, sometimes disappearing to become as small as a pinhead, then reappearing and even shaking. While he seemed genuinely convinced of what he had witnessed, he expressed frustration over authorities dismissing such sightings, suggesting that they often brush off eyewitness accounts, labeling them as delusions or mere misconceptions.

1. Ali’s UFO Sightings: According to Timothy Green Beckley in his book “Amazing Flying Saucer Experiences of Celebrities, Rock Stars and the Rich and Famous,” Ali witnessed UFOs at least 16 times. (Source: Beckley, T.G. “Amazing Flying Saucer Experiences of Celebrities, Rock Stars and the Rich and Famous.”).
2. Draft Resistance and Ban from Boxing: For refusing induction into the U.S. military based on his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War, Ali was banned from boxing for three years. His stand against the draft made him a controversial figure, but he used that time to speak at colleges and universities about his beliefs, race, and his opposition to the war. (Source: “The Trials of Muhammad Ali,” a 2013 documentary film).
3. Name Change and Religious Conversion: Initially named Cassius Clay, he announced his conversion to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali in 1964. The name was bestowed upon him by Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad. (Source: Eig, J. “Ali: A Life.” Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017).

UFO researchers and enthusiasts have often cited Ali’s sightings as significant because of his global stature. Jerome Clark, a notable UFOlogist, has suggested that celebrity accounts, like Ali’s, add a layer of credibility to the phenomenon because these individuals have more to lose than gain by fabricating such stories.

• “Ali: A Life” by Jonathan Eig – This biography offers a comprehensive look at Ali’s life, both inside and outside the ring, and touches on his reported UFO sightings.
• “King of the World” by David Remnick – This book focuses on Ali’s early career, particularly his fights against Sonny Liston.

Muhammad Ali was a complex figure, a blend of athleticism, charisma, conviction, and curiosity. His UFO sightings offer a glimpse into a lesser-known side of Ali, a side that was intrigued by the mysteries of the universe. While some might be skeptical of such claims, there’s no denying that Ali’s accounts add to the growing body of testimonies about unexplained aerial phenomena.