Heavyweight Boxing Champion

Ali became the heavyweight boxing champion of the world in 1964 after winning a bout against Sonny Liston. He was famous for his foot speed and ability to taunt his rivals with his mouth. Ali spoke often, inventing rhymes about how great he was, and predicting the rounds in which he would knock out his opponents.

Religion

In 1964, after winning the heavyweight title, Ali publicly revealed that he was a member of the Nation of Islam. This sparked tremendous controversy. He stated that white people were not "righteous," and suggested that all white people "hated black people." He attributed these beliefs to the teachings of his religion.

Draft Evasion

At the time of the Vietnam War, Muhammad Ali refused to be drafted into the United States Army. He claimed that it was against his religion to fight in any war that was not declared by Allah. As a result, he was arrested, convicted of draft evasion, sentenced to five years in jail, fined $10,000, and stripped of his heavyweight title and his boxing licenses. In 1971, the Supreme Court reversed Ali's conviction and he was able to resume his boxing career.

Public Speaker

During the time that Ali was denied permission to fight, he supported himself primarily by giving speeches at rallies on college campuses that opposed the Vietnam War.

Philanthropist

In 1984, Ali announced that he had Parkinson's disease. He has since devoted time to raising funds for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix, Arizona, and has supported the Special Olympics and the Make a Wish Foundation. He was chosen as a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 1998.

Source:

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali Biography

Biography: Muhammad Ali

Resource:

Ali

Muhammad Ali: Awards and Accomplishments