Muhammad Ali’s younger brother, Rahaman, dies at 82

Rahaman Ali, the younger brother of Muhammad Ali and a former professional boxer, has died at 82, the Muhammad Ali Centre in Louisville, Kentucky, announced Saturday.
Rahaman died on Friday. His cause of death was not released by the nonprofit museum dedicated to the boxing icon. The Louisville Courier reported Rahaman went into the hospital on July 19 and was in hospice care.
“You can’t tell Muhammad’s story without mentioning Rahaman,” said DeVone Holt, president and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Centre, said in a statement. “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.’”
Rahaman was born Rudolph Arnett Clay on July 18, 1943, and was 18 months younger than Muhammad. Rahaman fought professionally as a heavyweight from 1964-72 and was featured on Muhammad’s undercards several times throughout his 18-fight career.
Rahaman made his pro debut on Feb. 25, 1964, the night his brother beat Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title, and would finish 14-3-1 with 7 KOs.
After stepping away from the ring, Rahaman turned into his brother’s biggest supporter and was often seen traveling and training with Muhammad.
“My father loved his brother Rahaman so deeply,” said Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad and a Hall of Fame fighter, via Instagram post. “They are now back in the arms of their beloved parents. May they all rest in eternal peace together.”
Rahaman penned a pair of books documenting their family history.
“That’s Muhammad Ali’s Brother! My Life on the Undercard” was released in 2014. “My Brother, Muhammad Ali – The Definitive Biography” was published in 2019.
“My Uncle Rahaman, lovingly known as Rock, was a sweet, gentle soul with a heart as big as the world,” Hana Ali, Muhammad’s daughter, wrote in an Instagram post. “He had that same sparkle in his eye that my father had… that same light, that same mischief, that same love.
“They were close their entire lives, brothers by blood, but friends by choice. Even as children, their bond was extraordinary. My father loved his brother like he was his own child. When Daddy was just four or five, and Uncle Rock still a baby, he would stand protectively by his side. Whenever Mama Bird tried to spank Rock, Daddy would grab her hand and say, “Don’t hit my baby.” That protective love never faded.
“I can just picture them now, reunited in heaven … playing Cowboys and Indians with the broomsticks they used to find in Mama Bird and Papa Cash’s closet. Daddy always insisted on being the cowboy, and Rock the Indian.
“Or maybe they’re back to one of their favorite games, Daddy convincing Rock to throw actual rocks at him so he could prove how fast he was by dodging them.
“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.
“Uncle Rock had a heart of gold. He never needed a spotlight to shine, and I believe that now, from above, he and Daddy are part of something bigger … something beautiful … something meant to help heal this broken world.”
• Culled from ringmagazine.com