Rahaman Ali, the younger brother of Muhammad Ali, passed away Friday (August 1) at the age of 82 in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Rahaman was born Rudolph Arnett Clay on July 18, 1943 – 18 months after Cassius Clay, later to become Muhammad Ali, came along. He would change his name after converting to Islam.
Rahaman would also follow his brother into the world of heavyweight boxing, notching a 14-3-1 (7 KOs) record after making his debut on the card that was topped by Muhammad beating Sonny Liston to win the world championship in 1964.
His most famous contest likely came on the night that Muhammad lost his unbeaten record to Joe Frazier in March 1971 at New York’s Madison Square Garden; Rahaman, 7-0 heading in, would also encounter his first defeat on the undercard to future British and Commonwealth champion Danny McAlinden when he was outpointed over six rounds.
“It was so exciting,” Rahaman told Boxing News’ Jack Hirsch in 2021 about that epic night. “It’s part of my life that I’ll always be thankful for. So many famous people there. The atmosphere was amazing. It was an honour to be able to box on a show like that alongside my brother… I thought I won the fight but the judges did not see it that way.”
Following that defeat to McAlinden, Rahaman would return just a month later to win four bouts, all in Spain, on consecutive weeks.
“I was not the boxer that Muhammad was,” Rahaman reflected, “but I am proud of my career.”
Rahaman would retire from boxing following consecutive losses to Roy Wallace and Jack O’Halloran in 1972 but remained by his brother’s side as Muhammad went on to win the world heavyweight title on two further occasions. He would travel with his brother all over the world, often training with him.
“You can’t tell Muhammad’s story without mentioning Rahaman,” said DeVone Holt, President and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center.
“He was one of the most constant sources of support for Muhammad during his career and their relationship was a true example of what it means to be ‘my brother’s keeper’.”
Muhammad Ali’s daughter, Hana, posted a photo with her uncle on Instagram and wrote: “He had the same sparkle in his eye that my father had… that same light, that same mischief, that same love.”
Funeral details will be announced at a later date, the Muhammad Ali Center confirmed.
