Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali was one of the most famous African Americans ever to live and, debatably, the most famous American athlete. He was born Cassius Clay Jr. in 1942 to Cassius Clay Sr. and Odessa Clay.

Clay got his start in boxing at the age of twelve when his bike was stolen. Boxing trainer and police officer Joe Martin taught him how to box and six weeks later, Clay had won his first match. From there, Cassius Clay went on to become a champion boxer.

But, in 1964, Clay's world started to crumble down around him. On March 6, 1964, Cassius Clay publicly announced that he had converted to the Muslim faith and was renamed Muhammad Ali. This became extremely controversial, but Ali was able to defend his heavyweight champion title eight more times before the Vietnam War escalated. On April 29, 1967, the U.S. Armed Forces attempted to draft Ali into the war.

Ali stood by his religious beliefs and refused to fight and kill for a country that wouldn't even treat him right as an African American citizen. This decision divided the entire country and enraged the World Boxing Association who immediately suspended his boxing license and took away his heavyweight title.

Ali was then convicted of draft evasion and sentenced to five years in prison. However, Ali took his case to the supreme court who overturned his conviction and restored his license. Ali spent the rest of his career earning back his title and defending it until December 11, 1981 when he officially retired.

Muhammad Ali shows that if you refuse to back down from your beliefs and as long as you fight for what you think is right, you can become your own champion.

Muhammad Ali article