Muhammad Ali: Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.

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Muhammad Ali once said: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” (“Muhammad Ali.”). This famous quote by Muhammad Ali summarizes his entire outlook on life. Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay) was a boxer, philanthropist, and social activist. He is still to this day known to be one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. Muhammad Ali was outspoken about many political issues, including his opposition to the Vietnam War. Ali was drafted in 1966 and called up for induction in 1967, however, he refused to answer to his name or take the oath. This led to the Ali’s arrest and conviction, which was later overturned on appeal by the US Supreme court ("Muhammad Ali." Newsmakers). Muhammad Ali, also known as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., was a controversial …show more content…

Muhammad He grew up in the American South during a time of segregation between races. Many of the facilities in the town he lived in were racially separated ("Muhammad Ali." St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture). Growing up, Cassius lived with his mother, Odessa Grady Clay, his father, Cassius Marcellus Clay, Sr., and his brother named Rudolph. Cassius Sr. supported their family of five by painting billboards and signs. Odessa Grady Clay worked as a household domestic. At a very young age, Cassius Jr. showed he was not afraid of anything. He faced racial prejudice everyday growing up, and fought for what he believed was right ("Muhammad Ali." Encyclopedia of World …show more content…

He was sentenced to five years in prison, fined for over $10,000, and could not compete in boxing for three years total ("Muhammad Ali refuses Army induction - Apr 28, 1967 - HISTORY.com." ). Ali never went to prison because his case was appealed in court. He returned back to boxing on October 26, 1970. In this fight he knocked out fighter Jerry Quarry in the third round. Later, on March 8, 1971, Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier again in the “Fight of the Century”. Ali lost after 15 rounds; this was the first loss of his professional boxing career. On June 28, 1971, the United States Supreme Court overturned Ali’s conviction. They decided he was no longer guilty of draft evasion ("Muhammad Ali." Encyclopedia of World Biography). Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier again on January 24, 1974 at Madison Square Garden; he defeated Frazier after 12 rounds of intense boxing. On October 30, 1974, Ali reclaimed his heavyweight champion belt when he beat George Forman in Kinshasa, Zaire ("Muhammad Ali." World of Criminal Justice). Ali lost the title of heavyweight champion of the world on October 1, 1975 against Leon Spinks. However, on September 15, 1976, Ali won the title back. This made him a three-times champion. After these great victories, Ali decided to retire from his boxing career in June of 1979

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