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Birth
Born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., on Jan. 17, in Louisville, Ky., to Odessa and Cassius, Sr. (a sign and mural painter). -
Start Of Boxing Career
After having his bike stolen, a 12-year-old Clay promises to "whup whoever stole it." In an attempt to channel his aggression, the policeman he reported the crime to takes him under his wing and eventually directs him to boxing trainer Fred Stoner. Over the next six years, Clay would win six Kentucky Golden Gloves championships, two national Golden Gloves titles, and two AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) crowns. -
Summer Olympic Games
Clay wins the light-heavyweight gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Rome with a 5–0 decision over Poland's Zbigniew Pietrzykowski. Upon returning to his native Louisville, Clay finds he's not immune to the racism that is so prevalent in the U.S. After being refused service by a waitress at a "whites-only" restaurant, and then fighting with a white gang, the disgusted Clay throws his gold medal into the Ohio River. -
First Professional Fight
He turns professional and wins the first two fights of his career. Muhammad Ali 192 lbs beat Tunney Hunsaker 186 lbs by UD in round 6 of 6. Olympic light heavyweight champion Cassius Clay of Louisville finished his first professional fight streaked in blood -- that of his battered opponent -- Tunney Hunsaker. -
First World Heavyweight Title
Despite an unblemished 19–0 record, Clay is a heavy underdog in his championship bout with Sonny Liston. But you wouldn't know it by listening to him. He brashly and colourfully predicts victory, and teases the champ by calling him, among other things, an "ugly, old bear." True to his word, Clay has his way with Liston through six rounds. When Liston refuses to leave his corner for the start of the seventh, the fight ends and Clay becomes heavyweight champion of the world. -
Muhammad Ali Is Born
Cassius Clay was doing some spiritual searching and decided to join the black Muslim group the Nation of Islam in 1964. "They call it the Black Muslims," said a 22-year-old Clay at the time. "This is a press word. It is not a legitimate name. But Islam is a religion, and there are 750 million people all over the world who believe in it, and I am one of them." At first he called himself "Cassius X" before settling on the name Muhammad Ali. -
Refuses Induction Into The U.S. Army
In April, Ali refuses induction into the U.S. Army due to his religious convictions. He angers many Americans after claiming, "I ain't got no quarrel with those Vietcong." He is subsequently stripped of his WBA title and his license to fight. In June, a court finds him guilty of draft evasion, fines him $10,000, and sentences him to five years in prison. He remains free, pending numerous appeals, but is still barred from fighting. -
Muhammad Ali Returns
Due to a loophole (there was no state boxing commission in Georgia), Ali returns to the ring in Atlanta and knocks out Jerry Quarry in three rounds. -
Second World Heavyweight Championship
Muhammad Ali fought against George Foreman at 'The Rumble in the Jungle' in Kinshasa, Zaire. Muhammad ALi was billed as the underdog in this match, but he shocked the world when he used his 'rope-a-dope' tactic (leaning on the ropes and absorbing punishment until the other man got tired). He tired out George Foreman and successfully regained his World Heavyweight Championship which he never lost in the first place. -
Third World Heavyweight Championship
With a career record of 55–2, an overconfident Ali loses his belt to 1976 Olympic champ Leon Spinks in a 15-round split decision. Spinks' reign as champ is brief, however, as Ali wins back the title in a unanimous decision seven months later to capture his third world heavyweight championship.
