Rahaman Ali, Former Boxer and Brother of Muhammad Ali, Dies at 82
Rahaman Ali, younger brother of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, passed away Friday at the age of 82. His death was confirmed by the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, where both brothers were born and raised.
Born as Rudolph Arnett Clay on July 18, 1943, Rahaman was later renamed Rudolph Valentino Clay. He was 18 months younger than his brother, who would go on to become the world-famous Muhammad Ali.
Like his brother, Rahaman took up boxing in Louisville. While Muhammad went on to win Olympic gold in 1960 and became a global icon, Rahaman remained amateur until 1964. That same night Muhammad won the heavyweight title from Sonny Liston, Rahaman made his professional debut on the undercard.
Rahaman was known as a solid, smart fighter, but he never reached the same heights as his brother. He finished his career with 14 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw, including 7 knockouts. He retired in 1972 after suffering back-to-back losses, the last one by TKO against Jack O’Halloran, who later appeared in the Superman film series.
Often called Muhammad’s “best sparring partner,” Rahaman helped prepare his brother for major fights against greats like Archie Moore, Sonny Liston, and Floyd Patterson.
Despite his own career not reaching championship levels, Rahaman remained close to Muhammad throughout his life. Muhammad once joked that he paid Rahaman an annual salary of $50,000—around $280,000 today—saying, “That’s not bad for jivin’ and drivin’.”
In a 1990 interview with The Courier-Journal, Rahaman admitted he wished he had taken his own boxing career more seriously. After retiring from the sport, he worked various jobs, including selling appliances and running a restaurant. He spent time living in Chicago and Cincinnati before eventually settling back in Louisville in his later years.
Rahaman was married multiple times and had at least three children—two daughters and a son. Further details about his surviving family members were not immediately available.
Rahaman Ali, left, with his brother during the dedication of the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Ky., in 2005. Credit: David R. Lutman/Getty Images
