Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali

Tom Christopher Tom Christopher

James CoppelerJames CoppelerTim DykeTim Dyke

•http://youtube.com/watch?v=9PialnOHxSk&feature=related

Personal BackgroundPersonal Background

• Born Cassius Clay Jan. 17Born Cassius Clay Jan. 17thth 1942 in Louisville, 1942 in Louisville, KentuckyKentucky

• His father, Clay Sr. was a Methodist however his His father, Clay Sr. was a Methodist however his mother, Odessa raised him as a Baptistmother, Odessa raised him as a Baptist

• Started boxing in Junior High school Started boxing in Junior High school • Great amateur career made him to decide to Box Great amateur career made him to decide to Box

in the Olympics in 1960 where he easily won the in the Olympics in 1960 where he easily won the gold medal and then later turned pro to become gold medal and then later turned pro to become one of the most well known boxers ever.one of the most well known boxers ever.

AchievementsAchievements

• Won first 19 pro fightsWon first 19 pro fights• 1964 won first heavyweight title over 1964 won first heavyweight title over

Sonny ListonSonny Liston• Light-heavyweight gold medalist 1960 Light-heavyweight gold medalist 1960

OlympicsOlympics• 3 time heavyweight champion3 time heavyweight champion• 1999 named sportsman of the century (SI 1999 named sportsman of the century (SI

& BBC)& BBC)• 2005- Given presidential medal of freedom2005- Given presidential medal of freedom

• Professional Record: 56 – 5 (37 KO’s)Professional Record: 56 – 5 (37 KO’s)• Ali was named “Fighter of the Year” by Ali was named “Fighter of the Year” by

Ring Magazine more than any other fighterRing Magazine more than any other fighter

Ali and IslamAli and Islam

• After winning the title he announced his After winning the title he announced his conversion to the Black Muslims and also conversion to the Black Muslims and also announced he would official change his name announced he would official change his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Alifrom Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali

• Muhammad (one who is worthy of praise)Muhammad (one who is worthy of praise)

• Ali (rightly guided caliph)Ali (rightly guided caliph)

• The adoption of this name symbolized his new The adoption of this name symbolized his new identity as a member of the Nation of Islamidentity as a member of the Nation of Islam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrHE-yoSaTM

Ali and Islam cont…Ali and Islam cont…

• After aligning himself with the Nation of Islam, Ali After aligning himself with the Nation of Islam, Ali became one of the most recognized, yet became one of the most recognized, yet controversial figurescontroversial figures

• Nation of Islam is a religious and social Nation of Islam is a religious and social organization that’s goal was to resurrect the organization that’s goal was to resurrect the spiritual, mental, social and economic condition of spiritual, mental, social and economic condition of the black man in Americathe black man in America

• In 1975, Ali converted from Nation of Islam sect In 1975, Ali converted from Nation of Islam sect to mainstream Sunni Islamto mainstream Sunni Islam

Ali & Vietnam WarAli & Vietnam War

• In 1964, Ali failed the U.S. Armed Forces qualifying In 1964, Ali failed the U.S. Armed Forces qualifying test test

• In 1966, Ali’s results were revised and was now In 1966, Ali’s results were revised and was now eligible for the drafteligible for the draft

• When told he had to deploy to Vietnam he refused When told he had to deploy to Vietnam he refused to serve and considered himself a conscientious to serve and considered himself a conscientious objectorobjector

• Ali was quoted “War is against the teachings of the Ali was quoted “War is against the teachings of the Holy Qur’an. I'm not trying to dodge the draft. We Holy Qur’an. I'm not trying to dodge the draft. We are not supposed to take part in no wars unless are not supposed to take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or The Messenger. We don't take declared by Allah or The Messenger. We don't take part in Christian wars or wars of any unbelievers.”part in Christian wars or wars of any unbelievers.”

Vietnam War ComebackVietnam War Comeback

• He was found in violation of the Selective Service He was found in violation of the Selective Service ActAct

• His titles were stripped from him and he was not His titles were stripped from him and he was not allowed to boxallowed to box

• After a long court battle, Ali was guilty of draft After a long court battle, Ali was guilty of draft evasion and sentenced to 5 years in prison and a evasion and sentenced to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine$10,000 fine

• In 1970, Ali was reinstated to box, where he then In 1970, Ali was reinstated to box, where he then faced Joe Frazier in “The Fight of the Century.” faced Joe Frazier in “The Fight of the Century.”

Ali LegacyAli Legacy

• In his hometown of Louisville, In his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky they voted 6-5 to Kentucky they voted 6-5 to rename Walnut Street to rename Walnut Street to Muhammad Ali BoulevardMuhammad Ali Boulevard

• In 1984, he discovered he had In 1984, he discovered he had Parkinson’s Disease, a Parkinson’s Disease, a neurological syndrome neurological syndrome characterized by tremors, characterized by tremors, rigidity of muscles and slowness rigidity of muscles and slowness of speech and movement.of speech and movement.

• He has a Muhammad Ali Center, He has a Muhammad Ali Center, along I-64 on Louisville’s along I-64 on Louisville’s riverfrontriverfront

Ali Legacy cont…Ali Legacy cont…

• Since he retired form boxing, Ali has Since he retired form boxing, Ali has devoted himself to humanitarian devoted himself to humanitarian endeavors and travels around the globeendeavors and travels around the globe

• He is a devout Muslim, and is in full He is a devout Muslim, and is in full support of education effortssupport of education efforts

• Estimated to have provide more than 22 Estimated to have provide more than 22 million meals for the hungrymillion meals for the hungry

• Ali travels, on average, more than 200 Ali travels, on average, more than 200 days per yeardays per year

Converted Muslim BoxersConverted Muslim Boxers

• Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali

• Mike TysonMike Tyson

• Chris EubankChris Eubank

• Bernard HopkinsBernard Hopkins

• Danny WilliamsDanny Williams

• Dwight Muhammad QawiDwight Muhammad Qawi