Muhammad Ali Biography

Birth of Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr

Wins the Olympic Gold medal & turns professional

Ali wins his first professional fight, a six-round decision over Tunney Hunsaker, who was the police chief of Fayetteville, West Virginia

Henry Cooper knocks Ali down with a left hook near the end of the fourth round, the fight is stopped in the 5th round due to a deep cut on Coopers face

Ali reveals that he is a member of the Nation of Islam (called the Black Muslims)

Ali reveals that he is a member of the Nation of Islam (called the Black Muslims)

Malcolm X provides Clay with the name Cassius X, discarding his surname as a symbol of enslavement

Malcolm X provides Clay with the name Cassius X, discarding his surname as a symbol of enslavement. Ali reveals that he is a member of the Nation of Islam (called the Black Muslims)

Malcolm X provides Clay with the name Cassius X, discarding his surname as a symbol of enslavement. Ali reveals that he is a member of the Nation of Islam (called the Black Muslims)

Prior to Alis fight with & defeat of Sonny Liston for his 1st World title he declares that he would "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee"

Malcolm X takes Clay on a guided tour of the United Nations building. Malcolm X announced that Clay would be granted his "X". Elijah Muhammad records a statement over the phone to be played over the radio that Clay will be renamed Muhammad (the prophet of Islam) Ali

Malcolm X takes Clay on a guided tour of the United Nations building. Malcolm X announced that Clay would be granted his "X". Elijah Muhammad records a statement over the phone to be played over the radio that Clay will be renamed Muhammad (the prophet of Islam) Ali

Malcolm X takes Clay on a guided tour of the United Nations building. Malcolm X announced that Clay would be granted his "X"

Retains title by knocking out Sonny Liston

"I aint got no quarrel with those Vietcong" and "no Vietcong ever called me nigger". Ali refuses to serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as a conscientious objector, because "War is against the teachings of the Holy Quran". Ali is banned from fighting in the United States and forced to accept bouts abroad for most of 1966

Ali is stripped of his title by the boxing commission and not be allowed to fight professionally for more than 3 yrs, he was also convicted for refusing induction into the army and sentenced to 5 yrs in prison

Terrle had called Ali Clay prior to the fight, Ali shouts at his opponent, "Whats my name, Uncle Tom ... Whats my name." Terrell suffers 15 rounds of brutal punishment, losing 13 of 15 rounds & knocked out

Returns to boxing after receiving a license in Georgia

Defeats Jerry Quarry in his first fight after exile

Stops Oscar Bonavena in the fifteenth round

Frazier is defeated by Ali in their 2nd fight & Ali earns a title fight with George Foreman

Ali regains his title by defeating champion George Foreman in their bizarre bout in Kinshasa, Zaire, hyped as "The Rumble In The Jungle"

Ali regains his title by defeating champion George Foreman in their bizarre bout in Kinshasa, Zaire, hyped as "The Rumble In The Jungle"

Ali regains his title by defeating champion George Foreman in their bizarre bout in Kinshasa, Zaire, hyped as "The Rumble In The Jungle"

Converts to Sunni Islam

Converts to Sunni Islam

Ali defeats Frazier during the "thriller in Manila"

Muhamid Ali defeats Ken Norton on points in a 15 round championship fight

Alis doctor Ferdie Pacheco advises Ali to retire after beginning to see signs of Alis reflexes slowing down

Ali regains his title after winning the rematch against Leon Spinks

Heavyweight Muhammad Ali confirms that his 3rd retirement is final and he vacates the title

Ali retires permanently with a career record of 56 wins (37 by knockout) and 5 losses, and as a three-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion

Lights the Atlantic flame

Named sports person of the century by the BBC

Named sports person of the century by the BBC