Muhammad Ali's Younger Brother Rahaman Ali, Dead At 82

Rahaman Ali, the younger brother of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, has died.

The Muhammad Ali Center confirmed the news in a statement on Saturday, announcing that Rahaman Ali passed away the day before. He was 82.

A cause of death has not yet been disclosed, and funeral arrangements will be shared at a later time, according to the center.

Born Rudolph Arnett Clay, Rahaman Ali was just 18 months younger than Muhammad (born Cassius Clay) and followed closely in his brother’s footsteps both inside and outside the boxing ring. He enjoyed a professional boxing career from 1964 to 1972, compiling a respectable record before stepping away from the sport.

While Muhammad went on to become “The Greatest,” Rahaman remained a loyal fixture in his brother’s corner throughout his rise to superstardom. The two shared an unshakable bond, and Rahaman often spoke about his admiration for his older brother, not just as a fighter but as a humanitarian and cultural icon.

Rahaman’s devotion didn’t stop there.

In his memoir, “That’s Muhammad Ali’s Brother! My Life on the Undercard,” he offered fans a candid, intimate look at life alongside Muhammad, sharing stories that revealed not just the athlete, but the brother and family man.

“[Muhammad] would always say that he had to be the cowboy and for me to be the Indian,” Rahaman wrote in his book, marking the beginning of a recurring trend. “Even at this early age in our lives, my brother and I were very competitive, and [Muhammad] definitely wanted to win in whatever game or competition we were playing.”

In the wake of the heartbreaking news, tributes to Rahaman Ali poured in across X (formerly Twitter), with fans and admirers remembering him as more than just Muhammad’s younger brother.

“Rest easy to the man who shared a name and a legacy,” one user wrote, while another reflected, “Rahaman Ali stood in the shadow of greatness and carried his own light.”

Many also shared their condolences with the Ali family, with one fan posting, “Who else is sending love to the whole Ali family today?”

Others highlighted Rahaman Ali's deep spiritual roots.

“I've just been notified that Rahman Ali, Muhammad Ali's brother, has made his transition. May Allah be pleased with him,” one tribute read.

“Rest in power to one of the greatest men I’ve ever known. Rahaman Ali! I know you are up there with your mom and dad and the greatest of all time Ali!! Love you forever my man. We lost another icon tonight,” another wrote.

Muhammad Ali died in June 2016 at the age of 74, after suffering from respiratory complications tied to his decades-long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

“You can’t tell Muhammad’s story without mentioning Rahaman,” DeVone Holt, President and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center, said. “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.’”

Rest in peace.