Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. He became a professional boxer after winning an Olympic gold medal in 1960. In 1964 he defeated Sonny Liston earning the world heavyweight championship. He twice defended his title, defeating both Liston and Floyd Patterson.
Ali was stripped of his title in 1967 for his resistance of the draft on religious ground. In 1970 he was re-granted a license to box and in 1971 the Supreme Court upheld his draft appeal. In the same year, he lost a fight to Joe Frazier, his first fight of his comeback.
He regained the championship in 1974, at the age of 32 after defeating George Foreman in Zaire.
Considered the greatest boxer of all time, Ali retired in 1980. although a victim of Parkinson’s disease, he is today the inspiration to millions of disabled people.
In 1999, he was crowned "Sportsman of the Century" by Sports Illustrated, and is considered by many to be one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century.
God got me here for something. I can feel it. I was born for everything that I am doing now.
I am the greatest; I said that even before I knew I was.
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!
Muhammad Ali
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