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Muhammad Ali

'The Greatest' — boxer, activist, and the most famous athlete in history.

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About

Muhammad Ali (1942–2016), born Cassius Clay, is widely considered the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time and one of the most significant athletes in history. He won the heavyweight title three times, defeated Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier ('Thrilla in Manila'), and George Foreman ('Rumble in the Jungle'). His speed, footwork, and psychological warfare redefined boxing. Beyond sport, Ali was a cultural and political phenomenon. He converted to Islam, refused Vietnam War conscription ('I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong'), was stripped of his title and exiled from boxing for three years, and became a symbol of Black pride and anti-war sentiment. He lit the Olympic flame at Atlanta 1996 with Parkinson's disease — one of sport's most moving moments.

# Top 10 Muhammad Ali facts

  1. 1Ali refused Vietnam War induction in 1967, saying 'I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong'
  2. 2He was stripped of his heavyweight title and banned from boxing for 3 years for his draft refusal
  3. 3Ali lit the Olympic flame at Atlanta 1996 while visibly trembling from Parkinson's disease — one of the most emotional Olympic moments ever

Fascinating Facts

  • Ali refused Vietnam War induction in 1967, saying 'I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong'
  • He was stripped of his heavyweight title and banned from boxing for 3 years for his draft refusal
  • Ali lit the Olympic flame at Atlanta 1996 while visibly trembling from Parkinson's disease — one of the most emotional Olympic moments ever
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