Muhammad Ali is arguably one of the world's most recognized figures. His fights of the 1960s and 70s are the stuff of legend, and his colorful personality made him a force to be reckoned with. Ali's life has had many ups and downs, but even his struggles with Parkinson's disease have not slowed down this American icon.
Early Years
Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky. Ali became interested in boxing when police officer Joe Martin took him under his wing after learning that Ali wanted to beat up the thief that had stolen his bike. Martin was a boxing trainer at a local gym, and he helped launch Clay's boxing career. His first bout came in 1954, which he won by split decision. Two years later, Cassius won the Golden Gloves Championship in the light-heavyweight division. In 1959, he won the national title in the Amateur Athletic Union's light-heavyweight division, and the Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions.
Early 1960s
Ali earned a spot on the 1960 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team and traveled to Rome to compete for the gold medal. He won all four of his bouts, including the gold medal fight against Zbigniew Pietrzkowski. Ali returned to the U.S. a hero and shortly thereafter turned professional. He won all of his bouts in the 1960s, most of them by knockout. His 1964 victory against Sonny Liston earned Clay the title of heavyweight champion of the world. Clay became known for his showmanship in and outside of the ring, and for singing his own praises by referring to himself as "the greatest."
Controversy
Clay joined the Nation of Islam in 1964. He briefly called himself Cassius X before taking the name Muhammad Ali. Ali refused to serve in the military when he was drafted during the Vietnam War in 1966. He cited his religious beliefs and his role as a practicing Muslim minister as his reasons for refusing. The following year, the U.S. Department of Justice began a legal case against Ali, who was eventually found guilty of refusing induction into the military. The boxing association stripped Ali of his title, and he lost his boxing licenses. Ali did not fight for 3 1/2 years; shortly after he resumed boxing, the Supreme Court threw out his conviction.
Memorable Fights
After Ali returned to the ring, he took part in some of boxing's most memorable fights. In 1971, Ali fought Joe Frazier in a bout that lasted 15 rounds, when Frazier knocked out Ali in what became known as the "Fight of the Century." The two met again in 1974; this time, Ali won. That same year, Ali went up against the up-and-coming George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire. Considered the underdog, Ali stunned Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle" to regain the heavyweight championship title. Ali met Frazier one last time in what was arguably his toughest bout. Held in Quezon City, the Philippines, the "Thrilla in Manila" was a 14-round all-out battle that Ali won.
Outside of the Ring
Since his retirement in 1981, Ali has been a leader in humanitarian efforts around the world. He has helped provide more than 232 million meals to the world's hungry and supports organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics. The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Research Center at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, strives to find a cure for Parkinson's disease, a condition from which Ali himself suffers. Ali has been the recipient of numerous awards for his diligent social work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Amnesty International's Lifetime Achievement Award.
