Rahaman Ali, the younger brother of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, has died at the age of 82.
The Muhammad Ali Center shared the news on Saturday, writing on their website that Rahaman died on August 1 in Louisville, Kentucky.
‘Rahaman was a fervent supporter of the Muhammad Ali Center, often showing up at the Center’s events to welcome and greet fans,’ the statement read.
He was born on July 18, 1943 as Rudolph Arnett clay to Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr. and Odessa Grady Clay. Rahaman changed his name after converting to Islam.
Rahaman also participated in the family sport and was a professional boxer from 1964 to 1972.
Rahaman would often train with his famous older brother and trained with him around the world.
He authored two books including his memoir, That’s Muhammad Ali’s Brother! My Life on the Undercard in 2014, and co-authored a second book with columnist H. Ron Brashear in 2019 titled, My Brother, Muhammad Ali – The Definitive Biography.
‘You can’t tell Muhammad’s story without mentioning Rahaman,’ President and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center DeVone Holt said.
Rahaman Ali, the younger brother of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali , has died at the age of 82
The Muhammad Ali Center announced Rahaman’s death and praised the former boxer for being his ‘brother’s keeper’ (Pictured: Muhammad Ali and Rahaman in 1963)
‘He 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 “my brother’s keeper.”‘
It wasn’t immediately released what Rahaman’s cause of death was. The Muhammad Ali Center said funeral arrangements would be announced at a later date.
Director of Jesus Movement at the King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church Wanda McIntyre Wanda McIntyre told Courier-Journal that Rahaman was admitted to a hospital on July 19 before he was transferred to hospice care at Norton Audubon.
Ray Barker told the outlet that Rahaman and Muhammad ‘poured their hearts and soul into the community of Louisville.’
‘Knowing your role in the community is so important. Some of us like to be out in front, some of us like to be quietly behind and he was that latter one,’ Ray said.
‘He liked to be behind, but he always showed up to lend his hand and lend his famous name to encourage the youth. He was like a quiet thunder.’
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg led tributes to the boxer online, writing, ‘Louisville lost a great man yesterday. Rahaman Ali was a generous, thoughtful, and kind man.
‘I’m so thankful we got to know each other over the last few years of his life. Our thoughts are with the Ali family. May his memory be a blessing.’
Rahaman was a professional boxer from 1964 to 1972 (Pictured here with brother Muhammad (left) and father Cassius Clay Sr. (middle))
Rahaman died in Louisville, Kentucky. A cause of death has yet to be released
Muhammad Ali’s daughter, Hana, posted a photo with her uncle on Instagram and wrote, ‘My Uncle Rahman, lovingly known as Rock, was a sweet, gentle soul with a heart as big as the world.
‘He had that same sparkle in his eye that my father had… that same light, that same mischief, that same love.
Hana said that her father and uncle were close all their lives and had an ‘extraordinary bond.’
She added that as young boys, Muhammad would protect his younger brother from getting spanked by their parents, and never stopped protecting him as they grew up.
Hana said that she could picture her brother and uncle reuniting and playing games like they used to.
‘Whatever they’re doing up there, I know it’s full of joy, laughter, and the kind of brotherly love that helped shape our family,’ she said.
Sports fans have also paid tribute to the former boxer, with one sharing on X, ‘Rahaman Ali was Muhammad’s only brother, and went along on the ride with him the whole way’.
‘Being able to spend time with him and hear his stories was a blessing. The brothers are back together, may their memory be a blessing to everyone who loved them’.
‘The Ali Brothers are together again [flying emoji] Rest in peace Rahaman Ali,’ another wrote.
This is a breaking news story….
