Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, originally Cassius Marcellus Clay, in his
lifetime became one of the best and most controversial
sports figures of all time. His upfront attitude and
devotion to the Muslim religion made him a role model for
many people. Perhaps the most surprising thing he did was
changing is name to Muhammad Ali after becoming a Muslim.
Ali, then still going by Cassius Clay, first came to world
attention in 1960, when he won the Olympic
light-heavyweight championship. After his surprising
victory over then heavyweight champion Sonny Liston in
1964, he produced a steady stream of headlines. He was the
first boxer to benefit from international television,
making him all the more visible to the world. In his second
fight with Liston, more controversy arose over the way
Liston went down and stayed down in the initial round. Ali,
however, proved to be a "fighting champion," accepting the
challenges of every heavyweight he had a chance to fight.

He was stripped of his title in 1967 for refusing military
service on religious grounds during the Vietnam War. He
claimed, "If going to war, and possible dying, would help
twenty-two million blacks in this country gain freedom,
justice and equality, I would join tomorrow." He also said
that he would not help kill poor people in other countries
when it is happening to his own people in America. He was
allowed to resume fighting in 1970 and had his appeal of
conviction upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1971. Ali
regained the championship in a 1974 bout with George
Foreman. He lost the crown again in 1978 to Leon Spinks but
regained it the same year, thus becoming the first man to
win the title three times. Other than Joe Frazier and
Spinks, the only boxers to defeat Ali, who had a 55-5
record, were Ken Norton, who later lost to Ali; Larry
Holmes, who foiled Ali's try for a fourth heavyweight
championship; and Trevor Berbick, who defeated Ali after a
failed attempt to make a comeback. After his fight against
Berbick, he announced his retirement.