As his wins increased, so did his boasting. He bragged that he was going to win the gold metal in the 1960 summer Olympics before even stepping on the plane. When he returned home with the gold metal around his neck, however, he still was not even allowed to order a cheeseburger from a fast food restaurant. This upset him so much that he ran to a nearby river and threw his metal into the swift current. Cassius was now ready to turn pro. He brought attention to himself by bragging about his boxing abilities as much as possible. He also predicted the round in which he would defeat his opponents. The arrogant poems quickly followed. Unbeaten, he felt he could face Sonny Liston, the Heavyweight Champion of the world. After being pummeled for six straight rounds, Liston could not get off his stool to fight the seventh round. Cassius Clay was now the Heavyweight Champion! In 1963, a few weeks after his fight with Liston, Cassius announced that he was a member of the Muslim faith and had changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Ironically, the name means "the one who is worthy of praise". Many people were upset at this because they thought the Muslims were violent racists. Ali told reporters that "Islam is a religion of peace and love. All I want is peace." Ali was drafted into the army in 1967. He refused to serve in the army, as killing and bearing weapons were against his religious principles. After being found guilty of draft dodging, the World Boxing Association (WBA)stripped him of his championship title and boxing license. His lawyers made an appeal, and this time the court confirmed his beliefs were sincere. His license was returned as well as his title. He soon lost his title, however, in 1971 in a 15 round match against Joe Frazier. Many people thought Ali should have retired after the loss, but he refused to quit. He only ran and trained harder and longer. This helped him to overcome the odds and regain his title in 1974 by knocking out George Foreman in the eighth round.
Muhammad Ali "Introducing the returning once heavy weight champion of the world, weighing in at 210 lbs. and standing at six feet and two inches tall: Muhammad Ali." ... This was Ali's first loss of his career. ... In 1982 Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. ... Muhammad Ali!" All information on fight between Ali and Foreman taken from the movie Ali Have you thought about being a world champion today? ...
Was it shear accident that Muhammad Ali found himself in a boxing ring - or was it fate? ... Muhammad Ali born Cassius Marcellus Clay, bike was stolen in 1954. ... Ali defeated Sonny Liston February 25, 1964 to capture his first title. ... Ali and his managers claimed that government had tried to arrange a deal whereby Ali would enter the Army but not be sent to fight, according to Time magazine. ... Ali's quotes and antics both in and out of the ring stand the test of time (My Ali Story). ...
Muhammad Ali "I aint no quarrel with the Vietcong . no Vietcong ever called me a nigger". ... Muhammad Ali was born on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. ... As Ali saw the purity of this magnificent religion, Ali deg deeper into Islam's beliefs and fully converted himself and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. ... Now to Ali, fighting in a war was against his beliefs as a Muslim. ... The most successful child he has is Laila Ali. ...
Muhammad Ali, made it big. ... Ali finally got the fame he wanted. What happened next would change everything for Ali. ... The first loss of Ali's career, March 8th 1971, Ali fought Joe Frazier in the "Fight of the Century" after 15 rounds. ... Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. ...
Mohammed Ali is undoubtedly a hero. ... Since his retirement in 1981, Ali has supported black rights undeveloped country's and tried to help everybody who has problems. ... In 1994, Sports Illustrated ranked Ali first on its "40 for the Ages List." ... Ali was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, and into the U.S. ... The Muhammad Ali Museum opened in Louisville, Kentucky in 1995. ...
Muhammad Ali, originally Cassius Marcellus Clay, in his lifetime became one of the best and most controversial sports figures of all time. ... Perhaps the most surprising thing he did was changing is name to Muhammad Ali after becoming a Muslim. ... Ali, however, proved to be a "fighting champion," accepting the challenges of every heavyweight he had a chance to fight. ... Ali regained the championship in a 1974 bout with George Foreman. ... 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 Hol...
On March 6, Elijah Muhammad, told the world that he changed the name Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali which meant one worthy of praise. Ali fought for the first time under his new name against Liston in a rematch for the title. Ali defended his title for seven more years, but had it stripped when he ran into a battle with the government. ... After two losses, one to Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick Ali decided to retire finishing his career with an astonishing 56-5 record. Ali's career and strong beliefs proclaimed him as the top athlete of the 60's and 70's. ...
From then on out he was called Muhammad Ali. ... Ali eventually got to box again October of 1970. ... Ali had finally met professional defeat. ... At the age of thirty - eight Ali would retire. ... Ali is coping with the disease well. ...
In No Music Before Mosque, the son, Ali enjoyed playing his flute while he prayed to God. ... He believed that by playing the music, Ali was "defying God" and was about to let Ali know that. ... If the father found Ali, he would have beaten him. However, Ali, perhaps knowing that he would have received a beaten, committed suicide. ... Ali's niece swallowed her fear and reached for her grandfather's hand. ...
