Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest boxers of all time — and one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, both inside and outside the ring.
Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky (USA), he rose to prominence after winning a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics and, shortly after, becoming heavyweight world champion at just 22, defeating Sonny Liston.
Soon after that victory, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali, becoming a symbol of identity, resistance, and Black pride during a time of intense racial tension in the United States.
But Ali was much more than an athlete:
Inside the ring, he was known for his agility, technique, and provocative quotes. His style became legendary with the phrase: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”
Outside the ring, he was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War. He refused to fight in the conflict, famously saying: “No Vietcong ever called me a n****.”* As a result, he was stripped of his world title and banned from boxing for several years — a stance that turned him into a civil rights icon.
Ali returned to boxing in the 1970s and starred in historic fights such as:
“The Rumble in the Jungle” (against George Foreman, in Zaire, 1974)
“Thrilla in Manila” (against Joe Frazier, in the Philippines, 1975)
He retired for good in the 1980s and was later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, likely due to years of intense physical combat.
Muhammad Ali passed away in 2016 at the age of 74, but his legacy as a champion, activist, and global icon continues to inspire millions to this day.
Photos: Wikimedia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
