Muhammad Ali

Cassius Clay

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay on January 17th, 1942, Muhammad Ali was an American professional boxer, activist and philanthropist. Nicknamed “the Greatest,” he was widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century, and one of the greatest boxers of all time.

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali began training as an amateur boxer at the tender age of 12. By the time he was 18, he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 summer olympics, turning pro later that year.

Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston

In 1964, 22-year-old Ali upset the seven to one favorite Sonny Liston in a fight that stunned the boxing world. Just barely qualifying for the heavyweight division, Ali announced himself to the world as a first-rate trash talker in pre-fight interviews.

Ali Arrested On Evasion Charges

On April 28th, 1967, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War, Ali refused to be drafted into the Army. He was arrested, found guilty of draft evasion and stripped of his boxing titles.

He spent the next five years in prison until he successfully appealed his case to the Supreme Court, which overturned his conviction in 1971. His refusal to fight an unjust war made him an icon of the counterculture generation opposed to the war in southeast Asia.

Ali’s Legacy and Later Years

Muhammad Ali remains the only three-time lineal champion of the heavyweight division, beating 21 heavyweight boxers to cement his place into the history books of sports.

In his later years, Ali developed Parkinson’s Disease and was hospitalized on June 2nd, 2016 with what was first diagnosed as a respiratory illness. Although his condition was initially described as survivable, he died the next day at the age of 74, due to underlying complications relating to septic shock.