Who Is Muhammad Ali?

Muhammad Ali is a former world heavyweight boxing champion from the 1960s and 1970s. Born under the name Cassius Clay on January 17, 1942, he is considered by many to have been the greatest heavyweight fighter in history. He became famous for his social and political views (and his rhyming braggadocio), as much for his accomplishments in the ring.

  1. Early Years

    • Growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, Cassius Clay was convinced by Joe E. Martin to take up boxing, after Clay stormed into a gym upset over the theft of his bicycle. Clay won two national Golden Gloves titles and Olympic gold in 1960 before turning pro.

    Winning & Conversion

    • Clay defeated Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title as a 7-to-1 underdog in 1964. After the fight, he publicly revealed that he had converted to the Muslim faith and was now named Muhammad Ali.

    Losing the Title

    • Ali was stripped of the championship in 1967 after he was prosecuted by the U.S. government for refusing to accept being drafted into the Vietnam War. He was reinstated to boxing three years later while appealing his conviction, which the Supreme Court overturned.

    Regaining the Title

    • After losing his first chance to regain the title from Joe Frazier in 1971, Ali eventually became champion again when he beat George Foreman in 1974. He lost the title to Leon Spinks in 1978, but won it back seven months later.

    Thrilla in Manila

    • The fight Ali may best be remembered for was the "Thrilla in Manila" against Frazier---their third match against each other, with each holding a win over the other. After pummeling each other for 14 rounds, Ali won when Frazier couldn't come out for the 15th.

    Life After Boxing

    • Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984. While he has remained an active public figure for humanitarian causes, his most recognized post-boxing appearance is his lighting of the Olympic flame at the 1996 Games.