Training the Greatest: The Story of Ali and Dundee

The day after his victory over Sonny Liston, Muhammad Ali addressed a crowd of reporters with much less energy than normal. The new Heavyweight Champion of the World spoke softly, without rhyming or boasting. Instead, he announced that he indeed was devoted to the religion of Islam, and followed the teachings of Elijah Muhammad. While there was much speculation from the press about his involvement with the Nation of Islam prior to the announcement, this was Ali's confirmation that he was proud to be a Muslim.

"I don't have to be what you want me to be. I am free to be who I want."

After the announcement of his religious devotion, newspapers were in a frenzy--some journalists referred to him as a disgrace for being associated with what they considered a hate group, others stated that a man's religion should not be anyone's business but his own. A few weeks after Ali was declared champion, he announced he would go by his new given name, Muhammad Ali. This, of course, stirred even more controversy among the press.

Angelo Dundee, alongside Ali and the Louisville Sponsoring Group, was questioned continuously about how he felt about Ali's name change and conversion to the Nation of Islam. Dundee said the same thing every time: "My original name wasn't Angelo Dundee, so why should I care about him changing his name?" He also confided that he was no micro-manager, and his fighter's private lives were just that--theirs, and private.

This support from Dundee solidified his friendship with Ali, and Ali would never forget it.