Muhammad Ali: Much more than a great boxer, he shook up the world

The light in the world is a little dimmer. Friday night the world lost one of its brightest lights Muhammad Ali.
He was one of the most iconic figures of our time. Ali is considered to be the “Greatest” boxer ever, but he is one of the few that transcended sports and went on to be one of the most influential and inspirational people in the world.

He was born Cassius Marcellus Clay in Louisville, KY on January 17, 1942. After having his bike stolen at age 12 the young clay would meet a police officer named Joe E. Martin the person who taught him to box and changed his life forever. Clay as an amateur would win 6 Kentucky Golden Gloves titles, 2 national Golden Gloves titles, An Amateur Athletic Union national title. His biggest accomplishment as an amateur is winning a gold medal as a Light Heavyweight at the Summer Olympics in Rome.

By 1963 Clay would fight himself into being the number one contender for the heavyweight title owned by one scary fellow named Sonny Liston. They would fight in February of 1964 where Clay would become the new champion when Liston could not come out for the seventh round. Clay yelled at the press “Eat your words!” He also said “I am the greatest! I shook up the world! I’m the prettiest thing that ever lived.”

Clay would convert to the Nation of Islam shortly after winning the championship and he would change him name to Muhammad Ali. This was not a popular at that time because many folks had no idea about the Nation of Islam. Ali would have a rematch with Liston in 1965. Ali would knock Liston down with a punch that no one really saw. The infamous “Phantom punch.” Ali would retain his title.

Things began to change for the Ali in February of 1966 when his draft status was changed 1-Y to 1-A. Ali said that he would not be drafted and serve in the army. He told the press, “I ain’t got nothing against no Viet Cong; no Viet Cong never called me nigger.” Muhammad would fight until 1967 when he is stripped of his title because he had refused to be drafted. He was convicted of draft evasion and would receive a five-year sentence and a fine of $10,000.00. He paid his bail and would be free while he appealed his case.