Muhammad Ali is known as one of the most publicised, controversial and greatest boxers of all time. The Ali story is deep and complex, and biographies of his life have been depicted through many books, documentaries and movies.

Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay on January 17, 1942 in his family’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Ali began boxing at a young age when his bike was stolen from him by some local troublemakers. Whilst crossing the local police officer and boxing coach the young Ali vowed to seek revenge on the culprits and make them pay. The boxing coach stated that you better learn how to use those fists then if you are going to be any chance of doing so. It did not take the athletically gifted Ali long to not only learn the finer points of the sweet science, but to dominate it at amateur level by winning the prestigious Golden Gloves and a gold medal in the Light-Heavyweight division at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

It is stated that upon Ali’s return to the United States he was rejected service at a roadside diner due to the colour of his skin. An astonished Ali - who was honored with parades for his Olympic achievement –went and threw his Olympic gold medal into the Mississippi River.

As a young professional Ali soon accumulated an impressive undefeated record. Ali was seen as a talented boxer, but was far too confident and charismatic to be considered a potential champion, especially due to his skin tone. Ali was labeled the ‘Louisville Lip’ by the media and public, whilst Ali labeled himself ‘The Greatest’.

The first defining moment of Ali’s career came in 1964 when he fought Sonny Liston for the Heavyweight Championship of the World – the universal title awarded by The Ring. Liston was considered almost unbeatable and a knockout specialist, the most feared man on the planet at the time. Ali was such an underdog that the fight was a gate failure and there were rumors on fight night that Ali had skipped town. From the outset Ali’s skill, speed and all over athletic ability was too much for Liston, who marched forward trying the land the powerful punches he was feared for. It was a boxing lesson that Ali was gave Liston; and a slap in the face to those many who doubted him.

Not long after the bout Ali officially announced – after being asked – that he had converted to Islam and he will know be known as Muhammad Ali, as opposed to Cassius Clay. The public were heavily opposed and Ali received relentless negative press. Ali was continually referred to as Cassius Clay, as the public could not accept this confident and self promoting black man, albeit him holding the most cherished prize in the history of world sport – The Heavyweight Championship of the World.

Ali rematches Liston the following year. Liston was knocked out in the first minute of the first round by a punch which was reportedly not seen by those in attendance. Many images have become well known of this bout.

Ali’s corner man Drew Brown labeled Ali’s style as ‘Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee’. The young Ali had the feet of a Lightweight, the grace of a Middleweight and the size of a Heavyweight, consequently, but arguably the greatest athlete of all time.

In 1966 Ali was drafted into the US Army to serve as part of the Vietnam War. Ali rejected his drafting and consequently faced a penalty of five years imprisonment. Ali never went to jail, but there was a long a drawn out three year court battle in which saw Ali stripped of his Heavyweight title from the sanctioning commissions. Eventually Ali won the court battle, and the right to fight again, however it was minus the Heavyweight Championship of the World; something Ali vowed to get back.

The Ali-Vietnam War sage is possibly the greatest example of politics being involved in sport. It was highly unlikely that Ali would have served in any life threatening situations, and most probably would have been sent to put on boxing exhibitions like Joe Louis did in the Second World War to entertain military staff. However Ali set a precedent not seen before. A man of astonishing self belief and human morals, Ali gave up the most prized possession in sport to stand up for what he believed was right.

Soon after his comeback Ali fought the now champion Joe Frazier in a classic battle at Madison Square Garden. Ali went down in a 15 round decision. This was Ali’s first loss of his professional career. Ali vowed to rematch Frazier.
Whilst Ali was regaining form and gaining some victories against quality opposition, an unseen surprise happened in world boxing. George Foreman sprung a surprise upset victory over Frazier.

Ali got his rematch with Frazier and this time defeating ‘Smokin Joe’. But the focus was now on Forman. Charismatic promoter extraordinaire Don King had a vision to take the heavyweight championship to the depths of Africa, the home of the North American black race. With local government support, a date was set for Foreman vs. Ali for the Heavyweight Championship of the World to take place in Zaire, Africa. The bout was tagged ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’.

Ali went into the 1974 bout as a huge underdog. Since coming back from the three year layoff Ali was clearly not as nimble on his feet, and relied more on ring savvy, his still fast hands, and for good or bad his cast iron jaw.

Once again – like ten year earlier – Ali shook up the world by knocking out the feared Foreman.

Ali fought Joe Frazier for a third time. Staged in the Philippines the bout was promoted as ‘The Thriller in Manila’. Ali stopped the tough Frazier.

Later stages of Ali’s career saw him lose and regain the world title on two more occasions, through persistence and careful management. Like many great fighters it took consecutive losses to virtually force Ali to retire. Ali finished his career as a genuine 4 time world champion, and a record of 56-5.