Muhammad Ali: Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.

Muhammad Ali was a great boxer he was born January 17, 1942. He won the heavy weight champion he also went to jail because he did not want to service for his country so he was put in jail for five years. The reason why Muhammad Ali started to fight was because some stole his bike and Ali went to the police and the police told him that he needs to know how to fight so he started to train Ali and at 12 he knew that he had to fight. Muhammad won his first fight in 1954. In 1956 Ali to go win the golden gloves. Ali fought for the heavy weight a British champion. In 1963 Ali knocked out Sonny Liston and in 1964 became the heavy weight champion.

Above all, Muhammad Ali stood up for what he believed in. As a matter of fact, Muhammad stood up against the Vietnam War. The New York Daily News insinuates that, “why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negros

Boxing in the 1960’s was ruled by one athlete, that was Muhammad Ali. He was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky (Owens 21). “Ali created one of the most controversial, personalities in the world of boxing” (Owens 7).

Muhammad Ali was a boxer because of his prominent role as a Civil Rights Activist. He stood up for what he believed

Muhammad Ali was a man made to box. He had a great career before him since he made his first professional fight under President Eisenhower presidency. His Professional Career was really

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” those were the words spoken by a man named, Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali was one of the most important people to live. He lived a long seventy four years. Muhammad Ali was one that was a boxing sensation. He was important because of his early life, his rise to fame, and his tragic death.

He grew up in a hard life, with a single mother and 4 brothers all living in poverty, trying to get by. But, despite facing many barriers of poverty, racial discrimination, and prejudice, he became one of the best players for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and broke the racial barriers in major league sports that had been upheld for over 50 years. By doing this, he opened doors for many who could not succeed before. Although he was not revered by all when he was alive, he became a civil rights figure and leader, and became a national hero to us all.

Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. or commonly known as Muhammad Ali, Was one of the greatest boxers who ever lived. Ali thrived in a world that was run by whites. Ali figured out at a young age that he is going to face a lot of problems in his life. Ali inspired people of all races to keep persevering through life and to help others. Not only was Muhammad Ali a revolutionary fighter he was also a revolutionary political figure. Ali was an enormous influence on the way America is today, by fighting battles inside and outside of the ring.

Handsome, weight champion, muslim, freely spoken, racial rights leaders, all exemplifies the powerful Muhammad Ali. A man whose story has a positive impact on americans lives today and back during the civil rights movement. “Muhammed Ali: The World’s Champion” by John Tessitore is an autobiography that is written to tell all the obstacles of Muhammed Ali. The adventures annals of Muhammed Ali begins from growing up and discovering that boxing was his outlet from racism, to dropping out of school, to becoming muslim, also being the voice of the public people, to lastly being coming one of the most known African American Boxing world champion. Thousands world wide then and now see Muhammad Ali as an tragic hero due to his resistance of entering the war, going to jail, and returning back to the ring even more powerful than before.

Muhammad Ali was a professional boxer during the 1960’s and 70’s, and was the heavyweight champion for many years. Muhammad Ali was born with the name Cassius Clay Jr. on January 17th, 1942, but changed his name to Muhammad Ali when he converted to Islam. He was the son of Cassius Clay Sr. and Odessa Clay. He was 6’3” tall and fought at the weight of 210 pounds, in the heavyweight division. He started boxing when he was only 12 years old, and won his first fight by split decision, and won the Golden Gloves Tournament for amateurs when he was 14. Ali also competed in the 1960 Rome Olympics and won a gold medal for boxing at only 18 years old. He became the heavyweight champion of the world in 1963 when he beat Sonny Liston who held a record

Clay’s fighting technique was far different than that of the other heavyweights at the time, he moved quickly and refused to set in a position. At the time this was seen as almost cowardly – he couldn’t handle a punch and his hits were soft blows. This philosophy all changed after Clay decided to fight the World Champion at the time, Sonny Liston. Cassius Clay somehow pulled off one of the greatest upsets in boxing history by defeating Liston in the seventh round. Afterword’s his name was changed to Muhammad Ali. Muhammad means “worthy of all praise” while Ali means “most high”. Muhammad Ali’s name wasn’t the only aspect that people used to deify him. Boxer’s became fascinated with his legendary footwork and tried to imitate Ali’s boxing style. Boxer’s across the world today still center their training techniques on Muhammad

On October 29, 1960 Cassius Clay made his a professional debut with a six round unanimous decision over Tunney Hunsaker. Cassius made all arrangements for the fight and he even trained himself. After having trouble with a less talented Hunsaker, Ali decided to hire a trainer. He went through many trainers until he found Angelo Dundee. Clay won his first world heavyweight championship on February 25, 1964. He beat Sonny Liston in six rounds. Liston refused to leave his corner for the seventh round. Almost directly after the fight, Clay told the world that he was now to be called Cassius X because of his affiliation with Islam. A month later he announced his name was to be Muhammad Ali which was the title given to him by the head of the Black Muslims, Elijah Muhammad. The name Muhammad Ali means "worthy of praise most high." Ali was then drafted into the Army and to fight in the Vietnam War. However, he refused to join the army

Muhammad Ali was also stripped of all his boxing licenses. Muhammad Ali went to the supreme court, he was persecuted but he won the case. Some people started thinking he was scared to fight in the war and called him a chicken.

Muhammad Ali did a lot of important things in American History. He was a famous boxer also a arch believer of religious freedom and racial justice. Ali’s original name was Cassius Clay. He was born January 17,1942 in Louisville, KY. Muhammad Ali devoted his life to humanitarian in work, putting his name to many initiatives for peace and humanitarian aid. Ali was also a part of Black History.

Cassius clay, one of the world’s most distinguished boxers, was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 7, 1942. Clays work ethic was apparent even in the early years of his life. As a child, he raced the school bus to school each morning. His friends would wave to him as the lead fluctuated based on the school bus’ stops. This work ethic extended to the classroom. Because of a learning disability, Clay had to work extra hard in school to not fall behind. Clay grew up with racial segregation all around him. These injustices sparked a passion in him to change the way people viewed African Americans: “I wanted to show that color didn’t matter”(Muhammad Ali: An American Legend). Clay’s boxing career began because of an incident when he was 12 years old. He and a friend rode their bikes to the Columbia Auditorium for The Louisville Home Show. When they were ready to go home, Clay discovered that his bike was stolen. Filled with rage, Clay wanted to retaliate. He found police officer, Joe Martin, who told him, “You better learn how to fight before you start challenging people that you’re gonna whoop” (Hauser 18). Martin became his coach, and although Clay never found the thief, he found a love of boxing that would continue throughout his life. Between the ages of 12 and 18, Clay