Muhammed Ali’s brother, Rahaman is dead

Rahaman Ali, the younger brother of the iconic heavyweight champion, Muhammed Ali and a former boxer himself, died on Friday, August 1.

He was 82.

The Muhammad Ali Center confirmed his death in a heartfelt statement released Saturday via Facebook. As of press time, no official cause of death has been disclosed.

“You can’t tell Muhammad’s story without mentioning Rahaman,” said DeVone Holt, president and CEO of the Ali Center. “He was one of the most constant sources of support for Muhammad during his career, and their relationship was a true example of what it means to be ‘my brother’s keeper.’”

Born Rudolph Valentino Clay on July 18, 1943, Rahaman carved out his own path in the boxing world, even if it was one spent mostly in the shadows of “The Greatest.” Between 1964 and 1972, he racked up 14 wins out of 18 professional bouts — a respectable career that often flew under the radar.

But Rahaman’s true impact wasn’t limited to what he did in the ring — it was how he stood by his brother. After hanging up his gloves, he became a constant figure in Muhammad Ali’s corner, both literally and figuratively. He travelled with the champ, helped him train, and was there during some of the most historic moments in boxing history.

A storyteller in his own right, Rahaman authored two books chronicling life alongside his brother — That’s Muhammad Ali’s Brother! My Life on the Undercard (2014) and My Brother, Muhammad Ali – The Definitive Biography (2019).

Tributes have poured in from the Ali family.

“Today, the last living member of my father’s immediate family returned to heaven,” wrote Hana Ali, Muhammad’s daughter, in an emotional Facebook post.
“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.”

His niece, Laila Ali, also paid her respects on Instagram:

“My father loved his brother Rahaman so deeply. They are now back in the arms of their beloved parents. May they all rest in eternal peace together.”