{"id":40781,"date":"2025-08-03T17:15:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-03T17:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/40781\/"},"modified":"2025-08-03T17:15:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-03T17:15:09","slug":"rahaman-ali-brother-of-muhammad-ali-and-former-heavyweight-fighter-dies-at-82","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/40781\/","title":{"rendered":"Rahaman Ali, brother of Muhammad Ali and former heavyweight fighter, dies at 82"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rahaman Ali, the younger brother of Muhammad Ali<\/a> and a former professional boxer, has died at the age of 82, the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, announced on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Rahaman died on Friday, Aug. 1. His cause of death was not released by the nonprofit museum dedicated to the boxing icon. The Louisville Courier reported Rahaman went into the hospital on July 19 and was in hospice care.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t tell Muhammad\u2019s story without mentioning Rahaman,\u201d said DeVone Holt, President and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center. \u201cHe was one of the most constant sources of support for Muhammad during this career and their relationship was a true example of what it means to be \u2018my brother\u2019s keeper.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Rahaman was born Rudolph Arnett Clay on July 18, 1943, and was 18 months younger than Muhammad. Rahaman fought professionally as a heavyweight from 1964 to 1972 and was featured on Muhammad’s undercards several times throughout his 18-fight career. <\/p>\n

Rahaman made his pro debut on February 25, 1964, the night his brother beat Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title, and would go on to reach a record of 14 wins (7 KOs), three losses, and one draw. <\/p>\n

After stepping away from the ring, Rahaman turned into his brother\u2019s biggest supporter and was often seen traveling and training with Muhammad. <\/p>\n

“My father loved his brother Rahaman so deeply,” said Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad and a Hall of Fame fighter. “They are now back in the arms of their beloved parents. May they all rest in eternal peace together.”<\/p>\n

Rahaman penned a pair of books documenting their family history. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Muhammad Ali\u2019s Brother! My Life on the Undercard\u201d was released in 2014. \u201cMy Brother, Muhammad Ali \u2013 The Definitive Biography\u201d was published in 2019.<\/p>\n

“My Uncle Rahaman, lovingly known as Rock, was a sweet, gentle soul with a heart as big as the world,” Hana Ali, Muhammad’s daughter, wrote in an Instagram post. “He had that same sparkle in his eye that my father had… that same light, that same mischief, that same love.<\/p>\n

“They were close their entire lives, brothers by blood, but friends by choice. Even as children, their bond was extraordinary. My father loved his brother like he was his own child. When Daddy was just four or five, and Uncle Rock still a baby, he would stand protectively by his side. Whenever Mama Bird tried to spank Rock, Daddy would grab her hand and say, \u201cDon\u2019t hit my baby.\u201d That protective love never faded.<\/p>\n

“I can just picture them now, reunited in heaven \u2026 playing Cowboys and Indians with the broomsticks they used to find in Mama Bird and Papa Cash\u2019s closet. Daddy always insisted on being the cowboy, and Rock the Indian.<\/p>\n

“Or maybe they\u2019re back to one of their favorite games, Daddy convincing Rock to throw actual rocks at him so he could prove how fast he was by dodging them.<\/p>\n

“Whatever they\u2019re doing up there, I know it\u2019s full of joy, laughter, and the kind of brotherly love that helped shape our family.<\/p>\n

“Uncle Rock had a heart of gold. He never needed a spotlight to shine, and I believe that now, from above, he and Daddy are part of something bigger \u2026 something beautiful \u2026 something meant to help heal this broken world.”<\/p>\n

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring\u2019s lead writer. Follow him on X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>: @ManoukAkopyan.