Who is Rahman Ali? All about Muhammad’s younger brother as he dies at 82

Rahman Ali, the younger brother of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, has passed away. Whereas Rahman spent most of his life in the shadows of his brother, Rahman found his own niche as a boxer, writer, and community leader. He was 82 years old at the time of his death, with the news having been confirmed by the Muhammad Ali Center.

Though the specifics surrounding the death of Rahman Ali are yet to be disclosed, his niece Rasheda Ali (Muhammad Ali's daughter) posted a tribute to her uncle on social media.

"May Allah ease our heart and grant Uncle Rahman the highest place in Jannah. Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return. Uncle Rock was a source of love, laughter, and light, and his kindness touched all who knew him. RIP Uncle Rock."

Rahman Ali - a brief history

Rahman Ali was the younger brother of Muhammad Ali and was brought up in Louisville, Kentucky. The bond between the brothers was very strong since childhood. Following the success of his brother in the 1960 Olympics, Rahman also entered the field of boxing in 1964.

As a boxer, Rahman had a commendable record of 14 wins (7 knockouts), 3 defeats (1 by knockout), and one draw. Although his feats could not be compared to those of his brother, Rahman Ali had achieved a very good record in boxing, registering some great wins against names such as Joe Byrd and Harold Carter.

September 1972 brought about the culmination of his competitive career when he had his fight against Jack O’Halloran. However, despite all this, the bond between the brothers was still good, as Rahman continued standing with his brother up to his death. Both brothers remained devout Muslims after they converted to Islam in the 1960s.

Rahman Ali was an ever-present spectator at the corner of his brother and saw the birth of Muhammad Ali as a sports star. Once his boxing career was finished, Rahman continued to be closely involved in the sport and the growth of his brother's influence. He became an important keeper of the Ali family history, eventually documenting his experiences in two books.

In the aftermath of his brother's demise, Rahman shed light on his experiences in an interview with The Sun. While paying his tributes to his elder brother, he was quoted as saying:

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"I was a very good boxer myself, but I helped my brother, so I cut my career to help my brother and had one hell of a time. My boxing career was very good. To spar with Muhammad Ali, he kept me sharp, and he made me a better person. He turned down nobody when it came to autographs. He was a big sweetheart. Alongside my wife, Muhammad Ali was my best friend."

Rahman Ali made his name not only in the boxing ring but also on the outside. Rahman later spent time working in the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, appearing in the center, greeting visitors, and recounting his memories of his famous brother.

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