Muhammad Ali the boxer was also an Olympic Gold medallist and the first to win the linear heavyweight title three times. Muhammad Ali the star was a jive-talking showman who had reporters eating out of his hands, always wondering what he was going to say next. Muhammad Ali the humanitarian gave cause to his countrymen to find their place in the world. Ali grew up in Louisville Kentucky as Cassius Clay Jnr, and started boxing at an early age. Working on his fitness he d run beside the school bus rather than catch it, and spar under an old cedar tree in his front yard. He took up boxing so that he would be ready if he ever caught up with the thieves who stole a treasured bicycle. But boxing became so much more to him than just a way to get revenge or defend himself. During his amateur career he registered 100 wins and five losses, competed in the famous Golden Gloves tournament, and finally as an amateur in the 1960 Olympic games before turning pro. The opponent of his first professional fight remembers Ali (then known by his real name, Clay) as being lightning fast, and delivering the hardest body blow he d ever taken. By March 1963 Ali had won each of his 18 bouts, with five knockouts, and nine technical knockouts. He was also building a reputation as the Louisville Lip , with his confident assurance becoming as much a trademark as his footwork and punches. Ali s first title fight was against Sonny Liston, on Feb 25th, 1964 in Miami Beach. Ali won, becoming the heavyweight champion of the world, and retained his title the following year. In March of 64 he celebrated his joining the Fellowship of Islam by changing his name to Muhammad Ali. In 1966 Ali became a conscientious objector to the war in Vietnam, refusing to fight due to his religious beliefs, and taking his personal battle to court. After some time in Europe, Ali returned to the US in November 66 and continued to object to taking up arms in Vietnam.
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