Muhammad Ali

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Muhammad Ali

• Tom Christopher
• James Coppeler
• Tim Dyke

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• http//youtube.com/watch?v9PialnOHxSkfeaturerel
  ated

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Personal Background

• Born Cassius Clay Jan. 17th 1942 in Louisville,
  Kentucky
• His father, Clay Sr. was a Methodist however his
  mother, Odessa raised him as a Baptist
• Started boxing in Junior High school
• Great amateur career made him to decide to Box in
  the Olympics in 1960 where he easily won the gold
  medal and then later turned pro to become one of
  the most well known boxers ever.

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Achievements

• Won first 19 pro fights
• 1964 won first heavyweight title over Sonny
  Liston
• Light-heavyweight gold medalist 1960 Olympics
• 3 time heavyweight champion
• 1999 named sportsman of the century (SI BBC)
• 2005- Given presidential medal of freedom
• Professional Record 56 5 (37 KOs)
• Ali was named Fighter of the Year by Ring
  Magazine more than any other fighter

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Ali and Islam

• After winning the title he announced his
  conversion to the Black Muslims and also
  announced he would official change his name from
  Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali
• Muhammad (one who is worthy of praise)
• Ali (rightly guided caliph)
• The adoption of this name symbolized his new
  identity as a member of the Nation of Islam
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vzrHE-yoSaTM

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Ali and Islam cont

• After aligning himself with the Nation of Islam,
  Ali became one of the most recognized, yet
  controversial figures
• Nation of Islam is a religious and social
  organization thats goal was to resurrect the
  spiritual, mental, social and economic condition
  of the black man in America
• In 1975, Ali converted from Nation of Islam sect
  to mainstream Sunni Islam

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Ali Vietnam War

• In 1964, Ali failed the U.S. Armed Forces
  qualifying test
• In 1966, Alis results were revised and was now
  eligible for the draft
• When told he had to deploy to Vietnam he refused
  to serve and considered himself a conscientious
  objector
• Ali was quoted War is against the teachings of
  the Holy Quran. I'm not trying to dodge the
  draft. We are not supposed to take part in no
  wars unless declared by Allah or The Messenger.
  We don't take part in Christian wars or wars of
  any unbelievers.

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Vietnam War Comeback

• He was found in violation of the Selective
  Service Act
• His titles were stripped from him and he was not
  allowed to box
• After a long court battle, Ali was guilty of
  draft evasion and sentenced to 5 years in prison
  and a 10,000 fine
• In 1970, Ali was reinstated to box, where he then
  faced Joe Frazier in The Fight of the Century.

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Ali Legacy

• In his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky they
  voted 6-5 to rename Walnut Street to Muhammad Ali
  Boulevard
• In 1984, he discovered he had Parkinsons
  Disease, a neurological syndrome characterized by
  tremors, rigidity of muscles and slowness of
  speech and movement.
• He has a Muhammad Ali Center, along I-64 on
  Louisvilles riverfront

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Ali Legacy cont

• Since he retired form boxing, Ali has devoted
  himself to humanitarian endeavors and travels
  around the globe
• He is a devout Muslim, and is in full support of
  education efforts
• Estimated to have provide more than 22 million
  meals for the hungry
• Ali travels, on average, more than 200 days per
  year

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Converted Muslim Boxers

• Muhammad Ali
• Mike Tyson
• Chris Eubank
• Bernard Hopkins
• Danny Williams
• Dwight Muhammad Qawi