Muhammad Ali Tom Christopher Tom Christopher James Coppeler Tim Dyke

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Personal Background Born Cassius Clay Jan. 17 th 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky Born Cassius Clay Jan. 17 th 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky His father, Clay Sr. was a Methodist however his mother, Odessa raised him as a Baptist His father, Clay Sr. was a Methodist however his mother, Odessa raised him as a Baptist Started boxing in Junior High school Started boxing in Junior High school Great amateur career made him to decide to Box in the Olympics in 1960 where he easily won the gold medal and then later turned pro to become one of the most well known boxers ever. Great amateur career made him to decide to Box in the Olympics in 1960 where he easily won the gold medal and then later turned pro to become one of the most well known boxers ever.

Achievements Won first 19 pro fights Won first 19 pro fights 1964 won first heavyweight title over Sonny Liston 1964 won first heavyweight title over Sonny Liston Light-heavyweight gold medalist 1960 Olympics Light-heavyweight gold medalist 1960 Olympics 3 time heavyweight champion 3 time heavyweight champion 1999 named sportsman of the century (SI & BBC) 1999 named sportsman of the century (SI & BBC) Given presidential medal of freedom Given presidential medal of freedom Professional Record: 56 – 5 (37 KO’s) Professional Record: 56 – 5 (37 KO’s) Ali was named “Fighter of the Year” by Ring Magazine more than any other fighter Ali was named “Fighter of the Year” by Ring Magazine more than any other fighter

Ali and Islam After winning the title he announced his conversion to the Black Muslims and also announced he would official change his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali After winning the title he announced his conversion to the Black Muslims and also announced he would official change his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali Muhammad (one who is worthy of praise) Muhammad (one who is worthy of praise) Ali (rightly guided caliph) Ali (rightly guided caliph) The adoption of this name symbolized his new identity as a member of the Nation of Islam The adoption of this name symbolized his new identity as a member of the Nation of Islam

Ali and Islam cont… After aligning himself with the Nation of Islam, Ali became one of the most recognized, yet controversial figures After aligning himself with the Nation of Islam, Ali became one of the most recognized, yet controversial figures Nation of Islam is a religious and social organization that’s goal was to resurrect the spiritual, mental, social and economic condition of the black man in America Nation of Islam is a religious and social organization that’s goal was to resurrect the spiritual, mental, social and economic condition of the black man in America In 1975, Ali converted from Nation of Islam sect to mainstream Sunni Islam In 1975, Ali converted from Nation of Islam sect to mainstream Sunni Islam

Ali & Vietnam War In 1964, Ali failed the U.S. Armed Forces qualifying test In 1964, Ali failed the U.S. Armed Forces qualifying test In 1966, Ali’s results were revised and was now eligible for the draft In 1966, Ali’s results were revised and was now eligible for the draft When told he had to deploy to Vietnam he refused to serve and considered himself a conscientious objector When told he had to deploy to Vietnam he refused to serve and considered himself a conscientious objector Ali was quoted “War is against the teachings of the Holy Qur’an. I'm not trying to dodge the draft. We are not supposed to take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or The Messenger. We don't take part in Christian wars or wars of any unbelievers.” Ali was quoted “War is against the teachings of the Holy Qur’an. I'm not trying to dodge the draft. We are not supposed to take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or The Messenger. We don't take part in Christian wars or wars of any unbelievers.”

Vietnam War Comeback He was found in violation of the Selective Service Act He was found in violation of the Selective Service Act His titles were stripped from him and he was not allowed to box His titles were stripped from him and he was not allowed to box After a long court battle, Ali was guilty of draft evasion and sentenced to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine After a long court battle, Ali was guilty of draft evasion and sentenced to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine In 1970, Ali was reinstated to box, where he then faced Joe Frazier in “The Fight of the Century.” In 1970, Ali was reinstated to box, where he then faced Joe Frazier in “The Fight of the Century.”

Ali Legacy In his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky they voted 6-5 to rename Walnut Street to Muhammad Ali Boulevard In his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky they voted 6-5 to rename Walnut Street to Muhammad Ali Boulevard In 1984, he discovered he had Parkinson’s Disease, a neurological syndrome characterized by tremors, rigidity of muscles and slowness of speech and movement. In 1984, he discovered he had Parkinson’s Disease, a neurological syndrome characterized by tremors, rigidity of muscles and slowness of speech and movement. He has a Muhammad Ali Center, along I-64 on Louisville’s riverfront He has a Muhammad Ali Center, along I-64 on Louisville’s riverfront

Ali Legacy cont… Since he retired form boxing, Ali has devoted himself to humanitarian endeavors and travels around the globe Since he retired form boxing, Ali has devoted himself to humanitarian endeavors and travels around the globe He is a devout Muslim, and is in full support of education efforts He is a devout Muslim, and is in full support of education efforts Estimated to have provide more than 22 million meals for the hungry Estimated to have provide more than 22 million meals for the hungry Ali travels, on average, more than 200 days per year Ali travels, on average, more than 200 days per year

Converted Muslim Boxers Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali Mike Tyson Mike Tyson Chris Eubank Chris Eubank Bernard Hopkins Bernard Hopkins Danny Williams Danny Williams Dwight Muhammad Qawi Dwight Muhammad Qawi