Rahman Ali, born Rudolph Valentino Clay on July 18, 1944, is the younger brother of boxing’s greatest, Muhammad Ali. He followed big brother’s footsteps into boxing, learning the ropes from Joe Martin. Though Rahman Ali was an excellent boxer, Muhammad Ali eventually captured the global limelight. He never left his elder brother’s side. Many fans perhaps saw it firsthand as they came across an old video of Rahman Ali rushing to his brother’s aid when Joe Frazier confronted him in a studio five days before their rematch.

On January 23, 1974,  at New York’s ABC studio, the situation went out of control. An angry ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier stood before Muhammad Ali for calling him ignorant. Since it came two days ago, over eighteen million have seen it. Many chimed in with their comments on Rahman Ali’s intervention.

In walks, Rahman Ali

Michael Mitchell found Rahman Ali dead serious. He contends that any guy who chews on a toothpick has to be a mercenary: “Any man with a toothpick in his mouth is dam near a mercenary. This brother meant business.” Nevertheless, to John Heinden, it appeared as if Ali’s brother got the hunch that Joe Frazier wasn’t too keen on picking up a fight despite going bellicose. He said, “His brother looked like he got the heat he ain’t about fighting. That’s real.”

Perhaps smitten by Rahman Ali’s entry, David Irish pointed at his dark trench coat, gnawing on the toothpick, while vacantly staring at Joe Frazier, “My [man] had the black trench coat, toothpick in mouth, & soulless stare into Joe’s existence.” Appreciating the way he looked after his brother, Charlotte Arrington spoke about Rahman Ali’s love for Muhammad Ali, who could always sense the sibling’s presence. Arrington said, “He was his brother’s keeper. Now that is love in its purest form. He just knew he was there..”

Finally, speaking about the greatest himself, Erin Liggins highlighted Ali remaining unfazed. He didn’t get up from his chair. So Liggins said, “Notice how the king wasn’t at all afraid and never even felt compelled to leave his seat.”

In a career that lasted eight years, Rahman Ali fought eighteen professional bouts, out of which he won fourteen. But more significantly, he accompanied Muhammad Ali on his travels as a sparring partner, helping him maintain his fighting form till he finally retired. Muhammad Ali faced his first career loss to Joe Frazier in 1971. The duo met twice after that, and both times, the ‘Peoples’ Champion,’ secured a victory.

Read More: “Looks Like He Was Giving His Blessings”: 7 Years After Muhammad Ali’s Death, Fans Join Mike Tyson in Paying Tribute to Late Boxing Legend

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