Drew Bundini Brown facts for kids

Drew Bundini Brown (born March 21, 1928 – died September 24, 1987) was a very important person on the team of the famous heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali. He worked as an assistant trainer and cornerman for Ali throughout his boxing career.

Early Life and Adventures

Drew Bundini Brown was born in Midway, Florida. He grew up in a nearby town called Sanford. He left school after finishing the eighth grade.

When he was only 13 years old, he joined the United States Navy. He was able to do this by saying he was older than he really was. In the Navy, he worked as a "Messboy," which meant he helped serve food. After two years, he left the Navy. Then, he became a United States Merchant Marine. This job meant he worked on ships that traveled the world, carrying goods. He spent 12 years exploring the high seas.

Working with Boxing Legends

Before joining Muhammad Ali, Bundini Brown worked with another amazing boxer, Sugar Ray Robinson, for seven years. In 1963, Bundini Brown joined Muhammad Ali's boxing team as a cornerman. He stayed with Ali for his entire career. A cornerman is someone who helps a boxer in their corner during a fight, giving advice and support.

Bundini Brown was more than just a trainer. He also helped Ali with his speeches. He wrote some famous poems and phrases for Ali. One of the most well-known lines he wrote was: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, rumble, young man, rumble.” Muhammad Ali used this powerful poem to challenge Sonny Liston before their big fight on February 25, 1964. Ali won that fight and became the WBA and WBC champion!

Personal Life

Drew Bundini Brown had a brother named Elbert James Brown. In the early 1950s, while living in Harlem, New York City, he married Rhoda Palestine. Later, he converted to Reform Judaism.

Drew and Rhoda had one son together, Drew Brown III, who was born in 1955. Their son, Drew III, followed in his father's footsteps by joining the United States Navy. He became a pilot, flying a type of plane called the A-6 Intruder. After leaving the Navy, Drew III wrote a very popular book called You Gotta Believe. He also became a well-known speaker across the country.

Singer Ruth Brown (who was not related to Drew Bundini Brown) later shared that he was the father of her son, Ronald David Jackson. However, Drew Bundini Brown did not know this when Ronald was growing up.

Later Years and Passing

Drew Bundini Brown passed away on September 24, 1987, in Los Angeles County, California. He was 59 years old. His death was due to health problems from injuries he got in a car accident earlier. He had hurt a nerve in his spine. After the accident, he had a serious fall at home and never fully recovered. Muhammad Ali visited him when he was very ill. Drew Bundini Brown was buried in Page Jackson Cemetery in Sanford, Florida.

Portrayals in Film

Drew Bundini Brown's life has been shown in several movies.

• Actor Bernie Mac played him in the film Don King: Only in America.
• Jamie Foxx played him in the movie Ali.
• Lawrence Gilliard Jr. played him in One Night In Miami.

Filmography

As an Actor

• Shaft (1971) as Willy
• Shaft's Big Score! (1972) as Willy
• Aaron Loves Angela (1975) as Referee
• The Color Purple (1985) as Jook Joint Patron
• Penitentiary III (1987) as Sugg / Inmate #2 (his last film role)

As Himself

• Am laufenden Band (1976, 1 TV episode, dated May 22, 1976) as Himself
• The Greatest (1977) as Himself
• Muhammad and Larry (1980) as Himself
• Doin' Time (1985) as Himself (special appearance)
• When We Were Kings (1996) as Himself (uncredited)

Archive Footage

• A.K.A. Cassius Clay (1970) as Himself
• Beat This!: A Hip hop History (1984, TV) as Himself
• Mohammad Ali- Round one: the greatest (1942-1964) (2021) as Himself