# List of career achievements by Muhammad Ali

This page details awards, honors, achievements, and accolades pertaining to Muhammad Ali.
The following awards without a reference can be found here at the official Ali Center website.

## Titles in boxing
### Major world titles

* NYSAC heavyweight champion
* WBA heavyweight champion (4x)
* WBC heavyweight champion (2x)

### Other world titles
#### The Ring magazine titles

* The Ring heavyweight champion (3×)

#### Lineal titles

* Lineal heavyweight champion (3×)

#### Undisputed titles

* Undisputed heavyweight champion (3x)

### Regional titles

* NABF heavyweight champion (3×)

### Honorary titles

* WBA Legend of Boxing
* WBC King of Boxing
* WBC Diamond champion
* Hickok Belt

### Amateur titles

* Olympic light heavyweight champion (gold medal, 1960)
* U.S. Olympic Trials light heavyweight champion
* AAU national champion (2×)
* National Golden Gloves champion (2×)
* Kentucky Golden Gloves champion (6×)
* Chicago Golden Gloves light heavyweight champion (2×)
* Tomorrow's Champions WAVE-TV Division Winner

## Media rankings

* #1 on The Ring magazine's Greatest Heavyweight of All Time: 1998
* #1 on The Ring magazine's Greatest Fighter of the 20th Century: 1999
* #1 on Sports Illustrated's Top 25 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century: 1999
* #1 on Sports Illustrated's Top 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century from Kentucky: 1999
* #3 on ESPN's Top 100 North American Athletes of the 20th Century: 1999-2000
* #2 on ESPN's Top 50 Greatest Fighters of All Time: 2007
* #1 on Sports Illustrated's Top 10 Greatest Heavyweights of All Time: 2009
* #1 on Yahoo Sports' Top 100 Most Influential People in Boxing History: 2010
* #4 on Bleacher Report's Top 50 Pound-for-Pound Boxers of All Time: 2018
* #1 on Bleacher Report's Greatest Heavyweights of All Time: 2018
* #2 on Bleacher Report's Top 10 Boxers of All Time: 2018
* #1 on Top Rank's Greatest Boxers of All Time: 2024
* #2 on GiveMeSport's Top 50 Greatest Athletes of All Time: 2024
* #2 on ClutchPoints' Top 25 Greatest Boxers of All Time: 2024
* #1 on GiveMeSport's Top 10 Greatest Heavyweights of All Time: 2024
* #1 on BetMGM's World's Top 10 Boxers of All Time: 2025
* #2 on Yardbarker's Top 25 Greatest Pound-for-Pound Boxers of All Time: 2025
* #1 on talkSport's Top 20 Greatest Heavyweights of All Time: 2025

## Boxing awards

* Kentucky Golden Gloves Most Outstanding Fighter: 1957
* Kentucky Golden Gloves Sportsmanship Award: 1959
* National AAU Championships Most Outstanding Boxer: 1959, 1960
* The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year: 1963, 1966, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1978
* The Ring magazine Fight of the Year: 1963, 1964, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1978
* Sugar Ray Robinson Award: 1965, 1974, 1975
* Sport Magazine Top Performer in Boxing: 1965
* British Boxing Writers Club Unbeaten Heavyweight Champion of the World Trophy: 1966
* BBBofC Championship of the World Trophy: 1966 (2×)
* The Ring magazine Fighter of the Decade: 1960s
* The Ring magazine Round of the Year: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1978
* BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year: 1973, 1974, 1978
* Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year: 1974
* Associated Press Athlete of the Year: 1974
* Hickok Belt (Professional Athlete of the Year): 1974
* United Press International Athlete of the Year Award: 1974
* The President's Trophy (Philippines): 1975
* Gillette Cavalcade of Champions Best Male Pro Athlete in Boxing: 1975
* Milliyet Sports Awards World Athlete of the Year: 1975, 1976, 1979
* "Greater than the Greatest" Champion Trophy: 1977
* The Victor Award: 1977
* Omnibus House Group Fighter of the Decade: 1978
* El Gráfico Trophy: 1979
* The Ladbroke Group "The Greatest of Them All" Trophy: 1979
* Birmingham Post and Mail Trophy: 1983
* Boxing Writers Association of America Barney Nagler Award: 1984
* The Rocky Marciano Award: 1984
* World Boxing Association Long and Meritorious Service: 1985
* The Miami Project Great Sports Legend Award: 1986
* All Star Pro Sports Award Living Legend in Boxing: 1990
* Academy of Victor Sports Award "Best in Boxing": 1991
* World Boxing Association Legend of Boxing: 1992
* NBC Legend to Legend Night Award: 1993
* Replacement Olympic Gold Medal: 1996
* Coca-Cola Sports Personality of the Year Award: 1998
* GQ magazine Athlete of the Century: 1998
* USA Today Athlete of the Century: 1999
* Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame Athlete of the Century: 1999
* BBC Sports Personality of the Century: 1999
* Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Century: 1999
* World Sports Awards Athlete of the Century (martial arts category): 1999
* National Academy of Sports Editors Athlete of the Century: 1999
* Associated Press Heavyweight Fighter of the Century: 1999
* The Greatest Award: 1999
* Louisvillian of the Century: 1999
* Kentucky Athlete of the Century: 2000
* Kentucky Legislature Greatest Athlete of All Time: 2000
* MTV King of the Ring Award: 2000
* Phenomenal Athlete and the Greatest Heavyweight Champion of the World History Maker Award: 2002
* MARCA Legend Award (Boxing): 2010
* World Boxing Council King of Boxing: 2012
* International Sports Press Association Best Male Athlete of the Century: 2024

## Hall of Fame inductions

* U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame: 1983
* Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame: 1985
* Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame: 1986
* World Boxing Hall of Fame: 1986
* The Ring magazine Hall of Fame: 1987
* International Boxing Hall of Fame: 1990
* Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame: 1992
* Northeastern University Center for the Study of Sport in Society Hall of Fame: 1994
* NCAS Hall of Fame: 2000
* National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame: 2001
* Hollywood Walk of Fame: 2002
* World Boxing Council Hall of Fame: 2008
* Boxing Hall of Fame Las Vegas: 2013
* The Happiness Hall of Fame: 2015
* Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame: 2015
* California Boxing Hall of Fame: 2016
* USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame: 2017
* National Boxing Hall of Fame: 2018
* Miami Beach Hall of Fame: 2023
* WWE Hall of Fame: 2024

## Awards outside of boxing

* Ambassador of Goodwill Citation: 1964
* Grammy Award Nominee: 1964, 1976
* Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Award: 1970
* Alpha Phi Alpha's Alpha Award of Merit: 1971
* Beta Theta Lambda Religious Freedom Award: 1971
* San Diego Schools Project Follow Through Award: 1973
* Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Bill Duncan/Ed Pollock Memorial Award: 1974
* Ortañez University Leadership Award: 1975
* Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels: 1976
* NAMIC-NY Honors Ali Award: 1977
* Kentucky Governor's Distinguished Service Award: 1978
* NAACP Award for Contributions to Race and Humanity: 1978
* Summer Olympics Torch Relay: 1984
* LA Marathon Gratitude Award: 1985
* Ellis Island Medal of Honor: 1986
* Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award: 1986
* LIFE Magazine Award: 1987
* Hennessy Cognac Pinnacle of Excellence Award: 1988
* Spirit of America Award: 1988
* ION Pictures Award: 1989
* Islamic Society of East Bay Outstanding Example Award: 1989
* American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Freedom of Speech Memorial Award: 1992
* Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular Lifetime Achievement Award: 1992
* Jim Thorpe Pro Sports Lifetime Achievement Award: 1992
* CORE Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday Award: 1992
* World Boxing Council Lifetime Achievement Award: 1993
* The Peace Abbey Foundation Courage of Conscience Award: 1994
* Annual Trumpet Award: 1994
* Parkinson's Disease Foundation Award: 1995
* Islamic Chamber of Commerce Tribute to Excellence Award: 1995
* Islamic Information Service Outreach Award: 1995
* The Classic: The Black Coaches Association Award: 1995
* Sports Image Award for Lifetime Achievement: 1995
* Harold Washington Award: 1995
* 16th Annual National CableACE Winner: 1995
* Overcoming Obstacles Lifetime Achievement Award: 1995
* Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation International Inspiration Award: 1996
* Sales and Marketing Executives Award: 1996
* SportsChannel KIDZWIN Person of the Year: 1996
* Summer Olympics Final Torchbearer: 1996
* Decade of the Brain Award: 1996
* Arthur Ashe Courage Award: 1997
* First International Friendship Award: 1997
* Haviva Reik Peace Award: 1997
* National Urban League Humanitarian Award: 1997
* Essence Living Legend Award: 1997
* The Ring magazine Lifetime Achievement Award: 1997
* Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago Imam W.D. Mohammed Award: 1998
* Amnesty International USA Media Spotlight Lifetime Achievement Award: 1998
* Community and Economic Development Corporation Award: 1998
* Ellis Island American Legend Award: 1998
* Phoenix Foundation Champion of Children Award: 1998
* Die 1 Ersten Deutschlands Sportler Award: 1998
* Legacy of Leadership Award: 1998
* Amnesty International Lifetime Achievement Award: 1998
* Generous Support Given to Pembroke Pines Award: 1998
* "For the Love of Kids" Child Advocacy Award: 1998
* United Nations Messenger of Peace: 1998
* GQ Man of the Year for Courage: 1998
* Huesped Distinguido Award: 1998-2001
* Brotherhood Crusade 25th Anniversary Honoree Award: 1999
* Best Buddies International Spirit of Leadership Award: 1999
* International Ambassador of Jubilee 2000: 1999
* Morehouse College Candle for Lifetime Achievement: 1999
* BRIT Awards Freddie Mercury Award: 1999
* TransAfrica Forum Global Statesman Award: 2000
* ALS Association Lou Gehrig Sports Award: 2000
* NIAF One America Award: 2000
* Presidential Citizens Medal: 2001
* The Beamonesque Lifetime Achievement Award: 2001
* UCP Humanitarian Award: 2001
* Service to America Leadership Award: 2001
* The National Basketball Wives Association's "Touching A Life" Award: 2002
* Hannah Neil World of Children Award: 2002
* Critic's Choice Awards Freedom Award: 2002
* National FFA Reflections Award: 2002
* Matthew T. Robinson Award of Courage: 2002
* Mercedes-Benz DesignCure Benefit Award of Courage: 2002
* In Person For "The Greatest Good" Medal: 2002
* Washington DC Honors America's Heroes of Freedom Award: 2002
* UNA-USA Global Leadership Award: 2002
* BET Humanitarian Award: 2002
* Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Book of Life Award: 2002
* Bulldog Award: 2003
* National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters Lifetime Achievement Award: 2003
* Pittsburgh Chapter of National Parkinson’s Foundation Award: 2003
* Lifting Up the World With a Oneness-Heart Award: 2003
* Golden Karma Award: 2003
* Coca-Cola Circle City Classic Major Taylor Award: 2003
* National Constitution Center Award: 2003
* ACLU Muhammad Ali Champion of Liberty Award: 2003
* Afghanistan World Foundation Freedom Award: 2003
* Bambi Millenium Award: 2003
* CCAI National Angels in Adoption Award: 2003
* Compton Community College International Humanitarian and Civil Rights Award: 2004
* AAI Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Lifetime Achievement Award: 2004
* Bridge Builder of the Year: 2005
* Presidential Medal of Freedom: 2005
* Otto Hahn Peace Medal: 2005
* Search for Common Ground Lifetime Achievement Award: 2005
* Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Louis E. Martin Great American Award: 2006
* Spirit of Crazy Horse Award: 2006
* World Economic Forum C-100 Award: 2006
* CSHL Double Helix Medal Honoree: 2006
* Boxing Writers Association of America John McCain-Bill Crawford Courage Award: 2006
* ECOWAS Living Legend Award: 2007
* Ashley Montagu Peace Award: 2007
* California African American Museum Lifetime Achievement Award: 2008
* Kentucky Society of Washington Bluegrass Ball Award of Recognition: 2009
* Down Syndrome of Louisville Ralph Beard Humanitarian Award: 2009
* Abraham Lincoln Society Kentucky Historical Society Award: 2009
* American Academy of Hospitality Sciences Six Star Diamond Award: 2009
* NAACP President's Award: 2009
* Honorary Freeman of Ennis, County Clare, Ireland: 2009
* Legacy of Firsts Legend Award: 2010
* Gheens Institute for Innovation Award: 2010
* Harold Pump Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award: 2010
* Life Changing Lives Lifetime Achievement Award: 2011
* Sports for Peace Honorary Award: 2012
* National Constitution Center Liberty Medal: 2012
* NVP Foundation Peace and Non-Violence Ambassador: 2012
* The King Center Salute to Greatness Award: 2014
* Omega Psi Phi Lifetime Achievement Award: 2014
* The Phoenix Awards Ralph Metcalf Award for Health: 2014
* Grawemeyer Spirit Award: 2015
* Harvard University W. E. B. Du Bois Medal: 2015
* Sport's Illustrated's Sportsman Legacy Award: 2015
* Caesars Palace Icon Award: 2016
* Jesse Owens Olympic Spirit Award: 2016
* Jesse Owens Global Peace Award: 2017
* Audie Award for Autobiography/Memoir: 2017
* IMANA Lifetime Achievement Award: 2017
* Top Ladies of Distinction Veronica A. Nesbitt Humanitarian Award: 2017
* Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Commission Lifetime Achievement Award: 2018
* AAU Gussie Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award: 2020
* JCPenney Goodwill Ambassador: 2021
* ANSI George S. Wham Leadership Medal: 2024

## Other awards & honors

* XNBA Human Spirit Award
* Footsteps to Freedom Award
* Two Oceans Education Foundation Award
* Goodness Award
* World's Greatest Sporting Legend Award
* POW/MIA Appreciation Plaque
* World's Greatest Award
* Mr. International Friendship by President Jimmy Carter

## Awards named after Ali

* Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night Awards: 1994
* ACLU Muhammad Ali Champion of Liberty Award: 2003
* Boxing Writers Association of America Ali–Frazier Award: 2009
* Deutsche Parkinson Hilfe Muhammad Ali Memorial Award: 2010
* NCTE National College Muhammad Ali Writing Award for Ethics: 2012
* The Ali Center's Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards (MAHA): 2013
* Sports Illustrated's Muhammad Ali Legacy Award: 2015
* Muhammad Ali Voice of Humanity Honor: 2016
* Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award: 2017
* World Boxing Super Series Muhammad Ali Trophy: 2017-2018
* WBC Muhammad Ali Diamond Belt: 2017-2018

## Boxing records & achievements

* The first and only three-time Ring, Lineal, and Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World
* First fighter to win the World Heavyweight Championship on three separate occasions (since equaled by Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis)
* First four-time WBA Heavyweight Champion (since equaled by Evander Holyfield)
* Third most opponents beaten in World Heavyweight title fights: 21
* Third most World Heavyweight title wins all time: 22
* Tied third most World Heavyweight title defenses all time (with Larry Holmes): 19
* Second most Undisputed Heavyweight title wins all time: 14
* Second most Undisputed Heavyweight title defenses all time: 11
* Second most Lineal and The Ring Heavyweight title wins all time: 22
* Second most Lineal and The Ring Heavyweight title defenses all time: 19
* Third youngest World Heavyweight Champion: 22 years, 8 days
* Second youngest Olympic Light Heavyweight Champion: 18 years, 231 days; (David Carstens: approximately 17 years 11 months)
* Third longest combined reign as World Heavyweight Champion: 9 years, 5 months, and 5 days (3,443 days)

## TV viewership records

Muhammad Ali participated and was a part of some of the most watched television broadcasts in history including:
* Fight of the Century: 300,000,000+ worldwide viewers (March 8, 1971)
* The Rumble in the Jungle: 1,000,000,000 worldwide viewers (October 30, 1974)
* Thrilla in Manila: 1,000,000,000 worldwide viewers (October 1, 1975)
* Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki: 1,400,000,000 worldwide viewers (June 26, 1976)
* Leon Spinks vs. Muhammad Ali II: 2,000,000,000 worldwide viewers (September 15, 1978)
* Larry Holmes vs. Muhammad Ali: 2,000,000,000 worldwide viewers (October 2, 1980)
* 1996 Summer Olympics opening ceremony: 3,600,000,000 worldwide viewers (July 19, 1996)

## Honorary degrees & doctorates

* Doctoral Degree from Western Kentucky University
* Doctor of Humane Letters from Texas Southern University: 1978
* Doctor of Laws from Mount Ida College: 1994
* Doctor of Public Services from Northeastern University: 1994
* Doctor of Laws from Columbia University: 1999
* Doctor of Humane Letters from Kentucky State University: 2003
* Doctor of Humanities from Princeton University: 2007
* Doctor of Humanities from Muhlenberg College: 2009

## Statues & tributes

* Muhammad Ali's wax figure is displayed at several Madame Tussauds locations including New York and Singapore
* Durham College named its new athletic facility the Muhammad Ali Health and Physical Education Building: 1977
* A street in downtown Louisville, Kentucky was renamed Muhammad Ali Boulevard: 1978
* Waverly Avenue in Newark, NJ was renamed Muhammad Ali Avenue: 1978
* A wing at the Miami Beach Convention Center previously known as Hall C was renamed the Muhammad Ali Hall of Champions: 1991
* Bronze sculpture of Muhammad Ali unveiled at Planet Hollywood: 1995
* The Muhammad Ali Center: 2005
* Muhammad Ali's home site historical marker #2339 in Louisville, Kentucky: 2012
* The I Am Ali Festival in Louisville, Kentucky: 2016
* NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio temporarily renamed West 33rd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, Muhammad Ali Way: 2016
* A boxing center at a Miami-Dade County park was renamed the Muhammad Ali Boxing Center: 2016
* Muhammad Ali tree sculpture tribute: 2016
* A bronze statue of Muhammad Ali is erected in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle: 2016
* The city of Miami Beach co-named Convention Center Drive, Muhammad Ali Way: 2016
* To honor him, Spalding University reverted the name of its athletic and activities building to Columbia Gym, the building’s original name from 1954, where Muhammad Ali’s bike was famously stolen outside: 2018
* Merrell Street in Phoenix, Arizona was renamed Muhammad Ali Way: 2019
* A section of 52nd Street in Philadelphia was renamed Muhammad Ali Way: 2019
* Statue of Liberty Museum Founders Star tribute: 2020
* Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport: 2020
* A 7 ft (2.1 m) tall, 1,600 lb (725 kg) statue of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier commemorating the "Fight of the Century" at Joe Hand Gym in Bucks County, PA: 2021
* Muhammad Ali statue at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas: 2022
* A portion of Fifth Street in Benton Harbor, Michigan was renamed Muhammad Ali Way: 2023
* A seven story tall mural dedicated to Muhammad Ali in Louisville, Kentucky: 2023
* A renovated park in Detroit, Michigan was renamed Muhammad Ali Park: 2023
* An Ohio historical marker was unveiled at Cleveland Browns Stadium to commemorate the Muhammad Ali Summit: 2023
* The Islamic Foundation School in Villa Park, Illinois named its athletic center in honor of Muhammad Ali: 2024
* 10 ft (3 m) tall bronze cast monumental statue of Muhammad Ali in Lewiston, Maine: 2025
* President Donald Trump dedicates a statue of Muhammad Ali at the National Garden of American Heroes: 2025