Legendary pugilist and civil rights activist Muhammad Ali will be the second professional boxer inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, joining heavyweight icon ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson.
Per a report from Variety, Ali is the latest inductee of the 2024 HoF class, joining the previously announced Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, and Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda — known collectively as the U.S. Express.
“Many claim to be great, but only one man is ‘The Greatest.’ Muhammad Ali transcended sport to become a global icon who captivated and impacted the world like no other. @WWE is honored to induct “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali into the #WWEHOF,” Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque wrote on X.
Many claim to be great, but only one man is "The Greatest". Muhammad Ali transcended sport to become a global icon who captivated and impacted the world like no other.@WWE is honored to induct “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali into the #WWEHOF. pic.twitter.com/UIFSg9POgA
— Triple H (@TripleH) March 11, 2024
This year’s Hall of Fame ceremony will emanate from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on April 5, one night before WWE’s 40th anniversary of WrestleMania kicks off with night one of a two-night spectacular.
Muhammad Ali’s Appearance at the First WrestleMania Continues to Be an Iconic Moment in Sports Entertainment History
The annual “Showcase of the Immortals” has seen its fair share of celebrity appearances over the last four decades, but few are more iconic than Muhammad Ali’s showing at the first-ever WrestleMania in Madison Square Garden. Ali served as the special guest referee for the main event pitting Hulk Hogan and Mr. T against ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff in a tag team match.
Ali also competed in one of the biggest crossover events of all time as he stepped inside the ring with Japanese pro wrestling legend Antonio Inoki at the Nippon Budokan arena in Tokyo on June 26, 1976.
In the world of boxing, Ali closed out his career in the early 1980s with a record of 56-5 with 37 wins by way of knockout. Some of his most notable victories came against fellow legends of the sport like Ken Norton, Joe Fraizer, George Foreman, and Leon Spinks. Outside of the ring, he was known for his philanthropy, donating millions to charitable organizations and disadvantaged people around the world.
Watch Muhammad Ali’s iconic appearance at WrestleMania below:
