Muhammad Ali
Muhammad AliMuhammad 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...
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