Biographical Information
Muhammad Ali was born January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky. Muhammad Ali's real name was Cassius Clay Jr., which was the name given to his ancestors by the white man. He changed his name on March 6, 1964 because of the Islamic Religion. Ali was a boxer, philanthropist and social activist. Ali showed at a young age that he was afraid of anything.
Growing up in the segregated South, he experienced racial prejudice and discrimination firsthand. Ali was an Olympic and World Champion boxer who had a unique personality based on his selfbeliefs and strong religious and political convictions. He won the World Heavyweight Boxing championship three times and won the North American Boxing Federation championships …show more content…
One of his most famously quoted descriptions, Ali told reporters that he could "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" in the boxing rink (The legend).
Revolutionary goals
Research Paper Muhammad Ali changed the world. He changed the world of boxing forever and he also changed the world with his religious and self-beliefs. This bold public persona belied what was happening in Ali's personal life, however. He was doing some spiritual searching and decided to join the black Muslim group the Nation of Islam in 1964. At first he called himself "Cassius X" before settling on the name Muhammad Ali. He eventually converted to orthodox Islam during the 1970s (A&E Television Networks).
He later started a different kinds of fights with his outspoken views against the Vietnam War.
Drafted into the military in April 1967, he refused to serve on the grounds that he was a practicing Muslim minister with religious beliefs that prevented him from fighting. He was arrested for committing a felony and almost immediately stripped of his world title and boxing license (A&E Television Networks).
The U.S. Department of Justice pursued a legal case against Ali, denying his claim …show more content…
His accomplishments in the ring are the things of legend; two fights with Sonny Liston, where he proclaimed himself “The Greatest” proved he was; three epic wars with Joe Frazier; the stunning victory over George Foreman in the Rumble
Research Paper in the Jungle; and the dethroning of Leon Spinks that led to Ali becoming the heavyweight champion for an unprecedented third time.
Realizing Success
Despite all the obstacles Ali had to overcome throughout his life, he became a very successful man. Muhammad Ali was more than a championship boxer. He was a symbol of black aspirations and independence; a man of conviction who proved athletes could discuss subjects outside the arena. He was a voice for those without one.
Lasting Legacy
In 1984 Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome, possibly connected to the severe head trauma suffered during his boxing career. The former champion’s motor skills slowly declined, and his movement and speech were limited. Ali remained in the public spotlight, traveling the world to make humanitarian, goodwill and charitable appearances. He met with Iraqi