Muhammad Ali

Muhammad "Cornelious" Ali

Hi! My name is Cornelious! But today, you can call me Muhammad Ali!

You may know me as the greatest boxer who could “Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee!”

I was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17th, 1942 and passed June 3rd, 2016.

I first wanted to become a boxer at age 12, when someone stole my bike.

In 1954, I won my first amateur boxing match!

In 1956, I won the Golden Gloves tournament for novices in the Lightweight Class.

In 1959, I won the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions and the Amateur Athletic Union’s national title in the lightweight division.

In 1960, at 18 years old, I won the Lightweight Boxing Olympic Gold Medal!

While still a champion in 1964, I joined the Black Muslim group “Nation of Islam.” With this organization, I assisted in building membership and spreading the religious beliefs in hopes to uplift black people.

In 1967, while I was practicing to become a Muslim Minister, I was drafted into the army to fight in the Vietnam War. My religious beliefs would not allow me to join such a violent act, so I refused to go to war. Because I refused, the US Government banned me from boxing and put me in jail for 4 years!

I was quoted saying “I will not disgrace my religion, my people, or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom, and equality… If I thought the war was going to bring freedom and equality to 22 million of my people, they wouldn't have to draft me, I'd join tomorrow.”

After returning from Jail, I reclaimed my boxing title and began to use my voice and influence to uplift the black community.

I ended my boxing career in 1981 with 56 wins and 37 knockouts and continued my activism in the community!

Today, I am Muhammad Ali. And so are you!