Muhammad Ali
January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016
American heavyweight boxing champion and activist, 1960 Olympic gold medallist, who was stripped of his title in 1967 for refusing induction into the army during the Vietnam War.
Biography
Muhammad Ali was an American boxer and activist, born Cassius Clay, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights. He won Olympic gold in 1960 and the world heavyweight title in 1964, after which he joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name.
In 1967 he refused to be drafted for the Vietnam War on religious grounds and was stripped of his title. The Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 1971. He regained the title in 1974 against George Foreman and fought famous bouts with Joe Frazier.
He retired in 1981 and was later diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He remained a prominent figure for civil rights and humanitarian causes.
