#Muhammad Ali by:Ezzat Harith (2Finnix)

MUHAMMAD ALI

 

 Muhammad Ali born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.; January 17, 1942) is an American former professional boxer, generally considered among the greatest heavyweights in the sport's history. A controversial and polarizing figure during his early career, Ali is now highly regarded for the skills he displayed in the ring plus the values he exemplified outside of it: religious freedom, racial justice and the triumph of principle over expedience. He is one of the most recognized sports figures of the past 100 years, crowned "Sportsman of the Century" by Sports Illustrated and "Sports Personality of the Century" by the BBC.

Born Cassius Clay, he began training at 12 years old and at the age of 22 won the world heavyweight championship in 1964 from Sonny Liston in a stunning upset. Shortly after that bout, Ali joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name. He converted to Sunni Islam in 1975.

 In 1967, three years after winning the heavyweight title, Ali refused to be conscripted into the U.S. military, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to American involvement in the Vietnam War. Ali remains the only three-time lineal World Heavyweight Champion; he won the title in 1964, 1974, and 1978. Between February 25, 1964 and September 19, 1964 Muhammad Ali reigned as the Undisputed Heavyweight Boxing Champion.

Nicknamed "The Greatest", Ali was involved in several historic boxing matches. Notable among these were the first Liston fight, three with rival Joe Frazier, and one with George Foreman, where he regained titles he had been stripped of seven years earlier.

"I find Muhammad Ali inspiring not simply because of his skill as a boxer or public speaker, but in his ability to maintain his humanity. Ali was simultaneously champion and man; larger than life and in the thick of life. He was flawed, as we all are, filled with self-doubt, anger and temptation, yet he did not deny these parts of himself. Instead, he challenged them daily in himself and others. In his constant striving to be better than he is, Ali inspires both the most humble and the most proud." 

Written by                                                                                                     

Ezzat Harith (2Finnix)                                                                     (361 words)