Muhammad Ali Autograph

Profession:
(1942-2016) American former professional boxer, generally considered among the greatest heavyweights in the history of the sport.

Year of Birth: 1942

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, was an American professional boxer and activist. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, known for his quick wit, incredible boxing skills, and charismatic personality.

Ali began his boxing career at the age of 12, and by the age of 18, he had won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. He turned professional shortly after and quickly rose through the ranks to become the world heavyweight champion in 1964, at the age of 22, by defeating Sonny Liston.

Ali soon became known for his bold predictions and trash talk before fights, famously declaring, "I float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see." He was also a vocal activist, speaking out against racism and the Vietnam War.

In 1967, Ali refused to be drafted into the military, citing his religious beliefs as a practicing Muslim and his opposition to the war. He was subsequently stripped of his boxing titles and banned from the sport for several years.

Ali made a triumphant return to the ring in the 1970s, reclaiming his titles and engaging in some of the most iconic boxing matches in history. He retired from boxing in 1981 with a record of 56 wins and only 5 losses.

Outside of the ring, Ali devoted his life to humanitarian work and activism. He passed away on June 3, 2016, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a champion both in and out of the boxing ring.