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birth
cassius clay jr. (later known as muhammad ali) was born january 17, 1942 in louisville, kentucky. -
childhood
he grew up in louisville, kentucky and at 12 his bike was stolen, and he told a police officer that when he found the guy who stole his bike that he was going to beat him up. the police officer was a trainer at a local boxing gym, and told cassius(ali) that he should learn to fight. so he started boxing -
first ever win
his first amatuer fight, and he won by split desicion -
another BIG win
he won the golden gloves tournament for novices, and again in '59 won but for amatuers -
teenage years
he wasnt the best boxer, but no one had ever seen anyone as dedicated. he also had some boxing skills people had never seen, like his quick and agile manuvering. along with his amazing reflexes. at 16 he dropped out and started entering into contests -
first big victory
he decided to enter into the 1960 olympics and ended up winning gold as his first big victory. -
champion of the world!!!!!!!!!!!
he knocked out sonny liston to become heavyweight champion of the world -
change in faith
he had alot of legal trouble caused becuase of his change of faith to the muslim religion. which meant he couldnt engage in any war or violence, unless it was for the muslim religion. and anyone who refused to fight for their country was placed in jail. -
taken away
he was found guilty of refusal to fight in the war, but later cleared his name, after a long court battle. but in boxing it didnt turn out so well, he was stripped of his title as heavyweight champion of the world and suspended from boxing for 3 1/2 years -
regained title
he fought george forman(reighning heavyweight champion of the world) and although many doubted that he would overcome, and win. he did. labeled as the "rumble in the jungle", it definitely was, and ali was once again the heavyweight champion of the world!!!