Rahaman Ali facts for kids

Rahaman Ali (born Rudolph Arnett Clay; July 18, 1943 – August 1, 2025) was an American heavyweight boxer. He was well-known as the younger brother of the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali.

Who Was Rahaman Ali?

Rahaman Ali was a professional boxer from the United States. He was born Rudolph Arnett Clay on July 18, 1943, in Louisville, Kentucky. He was 18 months younger than his famous brother, Muhammad Ali, who was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. Rahaman Ali became a heavyweight boxer, just like his brother.

Early Life and Family

Rahaman grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, with his parents, Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr. and Odessa Grady Clay. His older brother, Cassius Jr., started boxing in an amateur league in Louisville. While Muhammad Ali went on to compete in the 1960 Summer Olympics, Rahaman continued to train and develop his skills as an amateur boxer. He turned professional on February 25, 1964, which was the same night his brother won one of his first heavyweight championship titles against Sonny Liston.

Rahaman's Boxing Career

As a professional boxer, Rahaman Ali had a career that included 18 fights. He showed great skill and determination in the ring.

His Professional Fights

Rahaman Ali won 14 of his professional boxing matches. Seven of these wins were by knockout, meaning he ended the fight early by making his opponent unable to continue. He also had three losses and one draw during his career. His last two fights were tough, and after one where he was knocked out by Jack O'Halloran (who later became an actor in the Superman movies), Rahaman decided to retire from professional boxing.

Life After Boxing

After his boxing career, Rahaman Ali shared his life story and experiences. In 2014, he released his autobiography titled That's Muhammad Ali's Brother! My Life on the Undercard. This book was written with H. Ron Brashear and included a foreword by Gene Kilroy, who was Muhammad Ali's longtime business manager.

Rahaman continued to share his memories and insights. In 2019, he released a second book called My Brother, Muhammad Ali - The Definitive Biography. This book was co-authored with Fiaz Rafiq and featured a foreword by NFL football legend Jim Brown. These books gave people a closer look at his life and his relationship with his famous brother.

Remembering Rahaman Ali

Rahaman Ali passed away on August 1, 2025, shortly after his 82nd birthday. He is remembered not only as a boxer but also as the brother who stood by and supported one of the greatest athletes of all time. His books continue to tell his story and offer a unique perspective on the Ali family's journey.