Ali, Muhammad (1942–)

A well-known athlete, Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) has enjoyed fame for the past 45 years. He himself recognizes that and calls himself “the greatest.” Ali was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky. He began his training as a boxer at age 12. By age 18, he had won many local titles. He won a gold medal in lightweight championship in the Rome Olympics in 1960. On his return, he vowed to reach the top, the world heavyweight championship.

Ali engaged in 61 national and international bouts (fights), winning 56 of them. He challenged all of the heavyweight champions of his time and won all of those fights. He was a self-disciplined boxer who took charge of his own affairs and invented his own styles of boxing. He became a heavyweight champion three times: in the years 1964–1967, 1974–1978, and 1978–1979. At the height of his glory, he converted to Islam and joined the Nation of Islam, led by Elijah Muhammad. His conversion caused him many problems. In the late 1960s, when he refused to be inducted into the U.S. Army because he opposed the Vietnam War, he was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, and all his boxing licenses were suspended. He [Page 66]appealed the court order, won his freedom back after 3 years, and resumed his boxing career. Ali remains a loyal follower of Elijah Muhammad and a devout Muslim even today.

Ali retired from boxing in 1981 after 2 decades of boxing. Even though he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984, he did not withdraw into the disease. Rather, he became an activist and a promoter of peace. He spends his time and wealth assisting others in achieving their goals and reaching their potential. He established several charitable organizations, which have provided more than 232 million meals to the hungry in Africa and Asia. Ali has won many local, national, and international awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award, given to him by President George W. Bush in 2005; the Greatest Athlete of the 20th century, awarded by the BBC in London and USA Today; and the United Nations Messenger of Peace.

Ali is well known throughout the world. After his retirement, he engaged in civil activities and established a civic center in 2005: the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The center serves as an international educational and cultural institute, which promotes respect, hope, and understanding. Ali continues to inspire adults and children to be as great as they can be. His contributions to the world peace and relief efforts are enormous. He lit the Olympic Cauldron during the Olympic Games opening ceremonies in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1996.

Muhammad Ali is married and has a number of children. Although Parkinson's disease prevents him from public speaking, he attends many functions and continues to serve humanity through his generosity, thoughts, and encouragement.