Rahaman Ali born on July 18, 1943 in Louisville, Kentucky. He was known as the younger brother of Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest heavyweight boxers in history. Standing at 6′4″ and fighting as an orthodox heavyweight, Rahaman carved out his own boxing path while sharing a front‑row seat to Ali’s legendary journey. He was also known as an American heavyweight boxer. 
| Full Name | Rahaman Ali (born Rudolph Arnett Clay) |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 18, 1943 |
| Place of Birth | Louisville, Kentucky, USA |
| Profession | Professional Boxer, Author |
| Boxing Career | 1964 – 1972 (14 Wins, 3 Losses, 1 Draw) |
| Notable Relation | Younger Brother of Muhammad Ali |
| Spouse | Carla Ali |
| Books |
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| Date of Death | August 1, 2025 |
| Age at Death | 82 |
Rahaman Ali – Early life
Raised under the watchful eyes of their parents, Cassius Sr. and Odessa Grady Clay, Rahaman was born 18 months after Cassius Jr. (later Muhammad Ali) . Growing up during segregation in Louisville, the brothers were inseparable—training together, playing together, and dreaming alongside one another from youth. Rahaman often witnessed firsthand Muhammad’s natural talent and ambition: “When Muhammad was 12 and I was 10… he said, ‘I’m going to be the greatest fighter that ever lived.’ And one day he did it,” he recalled.
Rahaman Ali – Career
Rahaman Ali began his professional boxing career in February 1964, shortly after his brother Muhammad Ali shocked the world by defeating Sonny Liston to become heavyweight champion. While Rahaman never reached the same heights, he carved out a respectable journey in the sport. Fighting as a heavyweight, he competed in 18 professional bouts, earning 14 wins (including 7 by knockout), 3 losses, and 1 draw before retiring in 1972. Throughout his career, he often fought on undercards of major events, and his most notable opponents included Jack O’Halloran—who handed him a decisive final loss by knockout. While his own boxing achievements were modest, Rahaman played a critical behind-the-scenes role as Muhammad Ali’s sparring partner, bodyguard, and confidant, experiencing firsthand the pressure and excitement surrounding one of boxing’s most iconic careers. After retirement, Rahaman shifted focus to writing and preserving his brother’s legacy, offering rare personal insights in books like My Brother, Muhammad Ali and That’s Muhammad Ali’s Brother!.
Rahaman Ali – Personal life
Rahaman Ali was born into a Christian family in Louisville, Kentucky, as the younger brother of Muhammad Ali. His parents were Cassius Clay Sr. (a sign painter) and Odessa Clay (a homemaker). He remained closely involved in Muhammad Ali’s life as a sparring partner and companion. Rahaman later married Carla and has children, though he kept most family details private. In later years, he suffered from memory loss and Parkinson’s-like symptoms, similar to his brother.
Rahaman Ali – Death
Rahaman Ali passed away on 1 August 2025 at the age of 82 in Louisville, Kentucky. His brother passed away on 3 June 2016 at the age of 74 in Scottsdale, Arizona, United States.
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