Muhammad Ali, born with the name Cassieus Marcellus Clay Jr. was born on a wintery day of January, 1942.
He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, a place in the United States.
He was the first-born of Grady Clay and Cassieus Marcellus Clay Sr., until 1943; when Rahman Ali was born, originally named Rudolph.
He faced multiple educational challenges, saying that his teachers called him ‘dumb’ or ‘stupid’ due to his dyslexia.
At the age of 12, Muhammad found his newly found passion for boxing; in a weird way.
After his bike was suddenly stolen, he asked a police officer, Joe Martin; to beat up the thief.
Joe replied, “You better know how to fight before you start to challenge people.”
Young Clay was now obligated, devoted to becoming a champion boxer; and he achieved so.
He made his first professional boxing debut on October 29th, 1960.
Winning a six-round fight against Tunny Hunsaker.
He competed in multiple Olympics, one of them being the 1960 Rome olympics.
At this age and still visible to this day, racism was a big thing; especially to those that are African-American, like himself.
He was so angered by racism and conflicts because of his skin colour, he threw his gold medal earned by the 1960 Rome olympics, in the river.
He has made multiple appearances during the civil rights movement, and he has been an impact figure during these times.
Making himself more of an activist, also.
During the start of his prime, he won countless events; only 3 years after his first appearance, he won a total of 19 matches, 0 losses; 15 of them being won by knockouts.
In February of 1964, he became a heavyweight champion, after beating Sonny Liston.
His famous quote during this, he said - “I am the greatest!”
He used to taunt his opponents sometimes in the ring, with witty rhymes and quick couplets; there were short poems recited at interviews.
A few months later, during April, he converted his religion; he was originally raised as a Baptist. (A major branch of Evangelical Christianity) Now he converted to Islam, changing ‘Cassieus Marcellus’ into his most recognized name.
Muhammad Ali.
Influencing also his brother, Rahman Ali to become Muslim aswell.
At the time, volunteering for the military didn’t vacant the areas of need.
Drafting countless men into the military, including - Muhammad Ali.
They drafted him to fight for the Vietnam War, yet he refused due to his religion defying against this.
Due to this, he was stripped of his heavyweight title, a huge ten thousand dollar fine and a five year prison sentence.
This influenced and showed many people of his loyalty to his belief and his rights.
In 1970, his case was appealed.
And returned to the ring, his first match opposing Jerry Quary; him being knocked out by Muhammad in the third round.
After countless other matches, he decided to retire in 1981, when he was 39.
Still making a media appearance during these times during talk shows and other non-fictional approaches.
He lived on, and on; till the ripe age of 74. (1942-2016).
He died in Scottsdale, Arizona, unfortunately suffering from Septic shock. (A widely spread infection causing organs to fail via dangerously low blood pressure.)
He is known as ‘The Greatest’, and hopefully you see by now why.
“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it — then I can achieve it.” - Muhammad Ali.
We had the challenge of making a biography about a specific celebrity, so I decide to do Muhammad Ali because I heard about how he was 'The Greatest' in heavyweight boxing, and I wanted to see why.
I used this with Google Docs, and researched and wrote in my own words as I went.
I like how it turned out and I hope you guys like it too!
