There is probably hardly anyone who doesn’t know the name Muhammad Ali and doesn’t know that he is a boxing legend. However, the legendary boxer was not born Muhammad Ali, but Cassius Clay. He changed his name because he converted to Islam.
Until now, Muhammad Ali was the only boxer who could win the title of undisputed world champion three times during his career. However, he was also stripped of a title. However, he stepped back into the ring and made a comeback.
He will always remain a legend. In June 2016, he passed away from a severe case of Parkinson’s disease.
Profile: Muhammad Ali
The following brief profile presents the most important data and facts about Muhammad Ali and his life.
Original full name: Cassius Marcellus Clay
Date of birth: January 17, 1942
Place of birth: Louisville
Parents: Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr., Odessa Grady Clay
Height: 1.91 meters
Reach: 1.98 meters
Weight class: Heavyweight
Style: Southpaw
Fights: 61
Victories: 56, of which 37 by knockout.
Losses: 5
Draws: 0 Wives: Sonji Roi, Belinda Boyd, Veronica Porché, Yolanda Williams
Date of death: June 3, 2016
Place of death: Scottsdale
Childhood and youth
Muhammad Ali was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, as Cassius Clay. He had a younger brother and grew up in impoverished conditions.
His father, who was also named Cassius Clay, was a sign painter. The father and Muhammad Ali were named after the politician and slavery opponent Cassius Marcellus Clay.
Cassius Clay began boxing training in 1954, at the age of twelve. The reason for this was the theft of his bicycle. Cassius Clay was angry about it and wanted to learn boxing so he could get back at the thief if he ever caught him.
First contact with boxing
Cassius Clay had his first contact with boxing after his bicycle was stolen at the age of twelve. Since he was enthusiastic about boxing, he trained regularly. With his quick reflexes, he demonstrated remarkable talent.
Cassius Clay learned boxing in the basement gym of police officer Joe Martin. It was also the policeman Joe Martin who recommended boxing to Cassius Clay after the two had to deal with the bicycle theft. The fights were broadcast on a local channel in the show “Tomorrow’s Champion.”
As a reason for learning boxing, Muhammad Ali also mentioned in his autobiography in 1975 the murder of the teenager Emmett Till and the acquittal of his murderers, who were white racists.
Cassius Clay left school at the age of 16 with poor grades to focus solely on boxing training.
Career
Cassius Clay was able to have an impressive career. He won all the national amateur titles early on. He won his Olympic gold medal in 1960 at the Olympic Games in Rome in the light heavyweight category. He became a professional boxer later that same year, at the age of 18. He fought his first professional match on October 29, 1960.
