Asaad Amin Ali, Muhammad Ali's Adopted Son, Made His Own Way in Life

Born a decade after his father's final bout, Asaad Ali is proof that one can live the values of Muhammad Ali without stepping into the boxing ring. He's a family man and a team player.

Raised out of the spotlight, Asaad Ali never had the opportunity to become cocky about being the youngest son of one of the world's great sporting heroes, for which he is very grateful.

He feels deeply connected to the city of Louisville, where his parents adopted him, his father was born, and where he studies and now lives.

Asaad Ali Is Muhammad Ali and Lonnie Williams' Adopted Son

During a visit to her sister in Louisville in the early nineties, Lonnie Ali and her husband fell in love with a baby destined for the foster care system. The mother was a friend of her sister's, and the child was temporarily in her care.

The couple, who had no children, decided to adopt the child and raise him on their farm in Berrien Springs, Michigan. The champ's youngest, Asaad Amin Ali, gravitated to ball sports in school, dabbling in basketball, baseball, and football.

Baseball won out when he was recruited to play at the University of Louisville, but having played the field with different sports meant the catcher had to sharpen his skills. He enrolled in a bachelor's degree in communication with an eye on being an ESPN analyst.

Asaad Ali and Rachel Ali attends the 7th Annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards at Downtown Marriott on September 12, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky. | Source: Getty Images

Dan McDonnell, his coach, was pleased with his progress by the end of his first year and mentioned that he was well-liked on the team. Asaad lived a "humble and normal life" and took that humble attitude to college. A childhood friend and teammate, Zak Wasserman, said:

"He loves having the last name of Ali. But he really wants to make sure that he's known as Asaad."

He has worked for the Chicago White Sox and coached college baseball in Iowa. The UofL alum is currently back at his alma mater as the multimedia content producer for the school's athletic department.

Asaad Ali Is Now a Married Man with 2 Little Ones

After a few weeks of dating, Rachel McNulty mentioned to the baseball player that there were rumors his father was Muhammad Ali. Once when they were out, someone asked Asaad if he knew the son of the boxing great; he replied in the affirmative and said he was cool, not outing himself.

His dad watched his games from a trailer when he played sports in high school.

The couple, who have been together since college, exchanged vows on December 29, 2018. On September 6, 2020, he became the "forever bodyguard" of their daughter Zoey, and they welcomed a son in October 2022.

Asaad Often Remembers His Father and the Lessons He Taught

As a freshman, the dad of two had one of his father's most famous quotes on his wall in which he admits to not enjoying a minute of his training: "Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion."

Asaad knew his dad as an affectionate parental figure that showed him magic tricks and loved being around his children. Both parents were supportive of him taking up a sport other than boxing.

His dad watched his games from a trailer when he played sports in high school. The world champion also helped fund a new stadium, and his mom helped with fresh uniforms.

Yolanda "Lonnie" Ali holding her adopted son, Asaad Ali, as husband, American heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali autographs a boxing glove, circa 1986. | Source: Getty Images

Three years after his father's death, Asaad shared a photo of his dad holding him as a baby, kissing his cheek. He said that it was not just the family but the world that had lost a role model:

"…personally I haven't been right ever since; every now and then, you drop little reminders to me that you are still around looking after me, and I'm trying my best to honor your name every day…"

The UofL alum has a tattoo of boxing gloves hanging from the word "ALI" and the dates of his father's three boxing championships inked on his arm.

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