A boxer who said he was the greatest — and then showed the world he was right.
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These are the new words for Muhammad Ali. Match each word (1–8) to its meaning (A–H). Say your answers out loud — "I think 1 is D" — then check.
1 = C (a boxer) · 2 = F (a fight) · 3 = E (a ring) · 4 = B (a champion)
5 = H (a title) · 6 = A (fast) · 7 = G (strong) · 8 = D (to refuse)
Read each part. Then try the questions from memory, and talk about the last one.
His name was Cassius Clay. He was born in 1942 in Louisville, in the United States. He was a Black boy in a time when life was very unfair for Black people in America. When he was twelve, someone stole his bike. He was very angry and told a policeman he wanted to fight the thief. The policeman had a boxing gym, and he said, "First, learn to box." So Cassius did.
He was very good. He was faster than the other boxers, and he could dance around them in the ring. In 1960, he went to the Olympic Games in Rome and won a gold medal. He was still a teenager. Then he became a professional boxer. He was different from other boxers: he talked all the time. He said, "I am the greatest!" — and he was right.
In 1964, he fought a big, strong champion called Sonny Liston. Everyone thought Liston would win. But Cassius was faster and cleverer. He danced, he hit, and Liston could not go on. Cassius Clay was the new world champion. He was only twenty-two years old, and he told everyone he was the best.
1. How did Cassius Clay start boxing?
2. What happened in his fight with Sonny Liston in 1964?
1. Someone stole his bike. He was angry and wanted to fight the thief. A policeman with a boxing gym told him to learn to box first.
2. Everyone thought Liston would win, but Cassius was faster and cleverer. He won and became the world champion at twenty-two.
After he won, Cassius Clay made a big change. He became a Muslim, and he took a new name: Muhammad Ali. Many people in America did not want to use his new name. But he said, "This is my name now." He was proud of it.
At this time there was a war in Vietnam. In 1967, the army wanted Ali to be a soldier and fight in the war. But Ali said "no". His religion and his heart told him it was wrong. This "no" was very brave, but it cost him a lot. The police arrested him. People took away his title. He was not allowed to box.
For more than three years, Ali could not fight. These were his best years as a young, strong boxer, and he lost them. Some people were angry with him. Other people said he was a hero, because he did not change his mind. In 1971, a big court said he was free. Now he could box again — but he was older, and the best years were gone.
1. What new name did Cassius Clay take, and why did some people not like it?
2. Why did Ali say "no" to the army, and what happened to him?
1. He became a Muslim and took the name Muhammad Ali. Many people in America did not want to use the new name.
2. He did not believe in the Vietnam War, so he refused to be a soldier. The police arrested him, and people took away his title. He could not box for more than three years.
When Ali came back, there was a new champion: George Foreman. Foreman was younger, bigger and stronger than Ali. He hit harder than anyone. In 1974, the two men had a big fight in Africa, in a country then called Zaire. Almost no one thought Ali could win. But Ali believed in himself.
In the fight, Ali did something clever. He did not dance. He stood by the ropes and let Foreman hit him again and again. Ali was strong, and he waited. Foreman got more and more tired. Then, in round eight, Ali hit back — fast and hard — and Foreman fell down. Ali was the world champion again! People remember his famous words: "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."
Ali boxed for a few more years. Later, he became ill with Parkinson's disease, and it was harder for him to move and speak. But he was more famous than ever, all over the world. In 1996, with shaking hands, he lit the flame at the Olympic Games, and everyone stood up for him. He died in 2016. People remember him as one of the greatest boxers ever — and as a brave man who always said what he believed.
1. How did Ali beat George Foreman in 1974?
2. Why do people still remember Ali today?
1. He stood by the ropes and let Foreman hit him until Foreman got tired. Then, in round eight, Ali hit back and Foreman fell down. Ali won.
2. He was one of the greatest boxers ever, and a brave man who always said what he believed. He lit the Olympic flame in 1996 and was famous all over the world.
Ali's whole story is about being the best. To compare two things, we use a comparative. To say something is number one, we use a superlative.
Read the sentence and write the correct form of the word in brackets.
1. Ali was (fast) than Liston.
2. Foreman was one of (strong) boxers in the world.
3. Ali said he was (great) of all time.
4. He became (famous) than any other sportsman.
1. faster (short word + -er, with "than")
2. the strongest (short word + -est, with "the")
3. the greatest (great → the greatest)
4. more famous (long word: "more … than")
Write the comparative (-er / more) or the superlative (the -est / the most) form of the word.
1. good → → the best
2. big → bigger →
3. important → → the most important
1. better (good is irregular: good → better → the best)
2. the biggest (short word: double the g, add -est)
3. more important (long word: "more important")
Fill each gap with a comparative or superlative. Read it aloud when you finish.
Foreman was younger and (strong) than Ali. But Ali was (clever) — he had a better plan. In the end, many people say Ali was (great) boxer of all time.
stronger (short word + -er, "than") · more clever / cleverer · the greatest (the + -est)
Use -er / more … than to compare two things, and the -est / the most to say number one.
There is a real podcast about Muhammad Ali. It is for native speakers, so it is fast and quite difficult — that is normal! You do not need to understand every word.
From the Noiser podcast network. About 50 minutes. It plays on the Noiser site, or search "Short History Of Muhammad Ali" on Spotify.
Play on Noiser →Do all three tasks out loud. Use the timer to keep talking.
Tell the story of Muhammad Ali in your own words. Use these steps to help you: a poor boy in Louisville → winning Olympic gold → beating Liston to become champion → a new name and saying "no" to the war → losing his title for three years → the big comeback and beating Foreman.
Try to use comparatives and superlatives (faster than, stronger than, the greatest, the most famous) and some of the key words (boxer, fight, ring, champion, title, fast, strong, refuse).
Ali said he was "the greatest". Who do you think is the greatest sportsperson? Say why. Compare two people you like: who is faster, stronger, or better? Use -er … than and the most.
Tell a story of your own. Use comparatives and superlatives to compare people or things.
Not sure what to talk about? Choose one: