10: Important Muslim boxers

10: Important Muslim boxers Posted May. 10, 2010 at 05:33pm By Michael Rosenthal Buzz up! A weekly boxing list compiled by Michael Rosenthal. This week: In honor of Amir Khan, who faces Paulie Malignaggi on Saturday in New York on HBO, Muslim boxers who made a significant mark on boxing (alphabetical order): 1. Muhammad Ali* (56-5, 37 KOs) – Some argue that he’s the greatest heavyweight ever 2. Naseem Hamed (36-1, 31 KOs) – Three-time titleholder from England was known for flamboyance 3. Mustafa Hamsho (44-5-2, 28 KOs) – Syrian-born middleweight contender in the 1980s 4. Bernard Hopkins (51-5-1, 32 KOs) – Had a record 20 middleweight title defenses 5. Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KOs) – Olympic silver medalist and rising 140-pounder from England 6. Eddie Mustafa Muhammad (50-8-1, 39 KOs) – Held light heavyweight title in deep era 7. Matthew Saad Muhammad* (39-16-3, 29 KOs) – Held light heavyweight title in deep era 8. Dwight Muhammad Qawi* (41-11-1, 25 KOs) – Held titles at light heavyweight and cruiserweight 9. Hasim Rahman (46-7-2, 37 KOs) – Won fame by knocking out Lennox Lewis 10. Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) – Youngest ever to win heavyweight title *--Member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame http://www.ringtv.com/blog/1916/10_important_muslim_boxers/

Comments (20)

Vadrigar

You're kidding, right? Muhammad Ali converted to Islam in 1964 (and changed his name from Cassius Clay that same year), before his first fight with Sonny Liston. It was after his conversion that Ali made most of his famous achievements. As for whether they were born Muslim or converted, that's irrelevant. According to Islamic beliefs, every child is born a Muslim, hence why most converts to Islam usually refer to themselves as "reverts" rather than "converts". nicely said. :fing02:

15y ago

aAgger

The only people that were actually good boxers on that list, tyson ali bhop, were NOT born muslims. Coverts don't count. Most of their achievements were way before they converted. Also tyson went downhill after he converted. You're kidding, right? Muhammad Ali converted to Islam in 1964 (and changed his name from Cassius Clay that same year), before his first fight with Sonny Liston. It was after his conversion that Ali made most of his famous achievements. As for whether they were born Muslim or converted, that's irrelevant. According to Islamic beliefs, every child is born a Muslim, hence why most converts to Islam usually refer to themselves as "reverts" rather than "converts".

15y ago

Vadrigar

anyone here able to answer this? what do you mean by "karo"?

15y ago

minasyan

how do you know karo is muslim? anyone here able to answer this?

15y ago

Vadrigar

That's bullshit. Tyson has said many times that he converted to Islam because he was angry in prison, and he felt like if someone didn't agree with him, they could go to hell. He said that the Muslim religion shared those same point of views so he converted in jail. I'm pretty sure he said he's no longer a Muslim though. No it's not. Go and watch his recent interview. Straight out of his mouth.

15y ago

Forza

15y ago

MexicanMauler

In his most recent interview he said he became a muslim before he went to prison. That's bullshit. Tyson has said many times that he converted to Islam because he was angry in prison, and he felt like if someone didn't agree with him, they could go to hell. He said that the Muslim religion shared those same point of views so he converted in jail. I'm pretty sure he said he's no longer a Muslim though.

15y ago

Dawerlzgreatest

nation of islam>>>>>>>orthodox islam

15y ago

MexicanMauler

Muslim =/= Nation of Islam

15y ago

Vadrigar

Am I wrong in thinking that Tyson was not Muslim when he won the HW Title at age 20. Just curious. Not that it matters anyway, don't really get the purpose for this article. In his most recent interview he said he became a muslim before he went to prison.

15y ago

magatte

Joshua Clottey. He was shown in the "Road to Dallas" countdown to the Pacquiao fight preparing for prayer and praying 5 times a day.

16y ago

elfag

you know i have to really respect hopkins for not preaching allah this allah that at every opportunity. that shit gets annoying and i like that he keeps his religion more private and not always talking about it 24/7 He can be kind of an asshole in promoting fights but i think its just that promoting fights and he is a decent guy behind the scenes

16y ago

dcull111

Am I wrong in thinking that Tyson was not Muslim when he won the HW Title at age 20. Just curious. Not that it matters anyway, don't really get the purpose for this article. i was just thinking the same thing. what relevance is it that a fighter is a muslim? his next list is gonna be about fighters with third nipples apparently...

16y ago

boxa_ali

Maybe they mean he's a mugger and they just spelled it wrongly, or it slipped in acccidentally?? It seems that except for 2-Hamed and Khan, they are all "converts" I wonder why, maybe attracted either by the 4 wives, or being in gaol at the time, where there is an enormous drive to convert inmates to Islam. I don't know why.......... Maybe because its the right faith to follow and after many years in gaol they where able to contemplate and realize THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH AND MUHAMMAD IS HIS MESSENGER simple

16y ago

W1LL

16y ago

minasyan

Some other Muslim boxers: Sultan Ibragimov (former WBO HW titleholder) Ruslan Chagaev (former WBA HW titleholder) Magomed Abdusalamov Marco Huck (current WBO 200 titleholder) Rakhim Chakhkiev (Olympic Gold HW 2008) Karo Murat (in the next WBO 175 eliminator) Mahir Oral Felix Sturm (current WBA middleweight titleholder) Selcuk Aydin how do you know karo is muslim?

16y ago

Scott9945

What happened to sultan..after he lost to klitschko he didn't do much..He had some good hand speed..I rather watch sultan than david "bigmouth" haye. You must REALLY hate David Haye. Sultan's fights were snoozers. Briggs, Holyfield, Klitschko...all horrible fights.

16y ago

the_ilest

tyson was at his best before he turned muslim maybe thats why he is at the bottom.

16y ago

edgarg

bernard hopkins is a muslim? whaaaat i did not know that... hmm Maybe they mean he's a mugger and they just spelled it wrongly, or it slipped in acccidentally?? It seems that except for 2-Hamed and Khan, they are all "converts" I wonder why, maybe attracted either by the 4 wives, or being in gaol at the time, where there is an enormous drive to convert inmates to Islam. I don't know why..........

16y ago

starjammer

Am I wrong in thinking that Tyson was not Muslim when he won the HW Title at age 20. Just curious. Not that it matters anyway, don't really get the purpose for this article.

16y ago