Outstanding Sports Person

Outstanding Sports Person

Muhammad Alí

Who was Muhammad Ali?

Muhammad Ali was a boxer, philanthropist and social activist who is universally regarded as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. Ali became an Olympic gold medalist in 1960 and the world heavyweight boxing champion in 1964. 

Following his suspension for refusing military service, Ali reclaimed the heavyweight title two more times during the 1970s, winning famed bouts against Joe Frazier and George Foreman along the way. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984, Ali devoted much of his time to philanthropy, earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

Multiple Choice

When was Muhammad Ali diagnosed with Parkinson's?

• 1970

• 1974

• 1984

• 1994

Early life

Ali was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky. His birth name was Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. 

At an early age, young Clay showed that he wasn't afraid of any bout — inside or outside of the ring. Growing up in the segregated South, he experienced racial prejudice and discrimination firsthand.

At the age of 12, Clay discovered his talent for boxing through an odd twist of fate. After his bike was stolen, Clay told a police officer, Joe Martin, that he wanted to beat up the thief. 

Multiple Choice

What was Muhammad's father's name?

• Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.

• Cassius Marcellus Clay

• Cassius Marcellus II

• No information

Multiple Choice

One of Ali's strengths to be able to practice boxing was that he was...

• fearless

• fearful

• tall

• none of the above

Ali's achievements

Just for fun

Olympic Gold

In 1960, Clay won a spot on the U.S. Olympic boxing team, and traveled to Rome, Italy, to compete. At six feet, three inches tall, Clay was an imposing figure in the ring, but he also became known for his lightning speed and fancy footwork. After winning his first three bouts, Clay defeated Zbigniew Pietrzkowski of Poland to win the light heavyweight Olympic gold medal.

After his Olympic victory, Clay was heralded as an American hero. He soon turned professional with the backing of the Louisville Sponsoring Group and continued overwhelming all opponents in the ring.

Multiple Choice

Ali became famous at the 1960's Olympics for...

• his footwork

• his height

• his speed

• all of the above

Vietman and Supreme Court Case

• Ali started a different kind of fight with his outspoken views against the Vietnam War. 

  
  

• Drafted into the military in April 1967, he refused to serve on the grounds that he was a practicing Muslim minister with religious beliefs that prevented him from fighting. He was arrested for committing a felony and almost immediately stripped of his world title and boxing license.

• The U.S. Department of Justice pursued a legal case against Ali, denying his claim for conscientious objector status. He was found guilty of violating Selective Service laws and sentenced to five years in prison in June 1967 but remained free while appealing his conviction.

• Unable to compete professionally in the meantime, Ali missed more than three prime years of his athletic career. Ali returned to the ring in 1970 with a win over Jerry Quarry, and the U.S. Supreme Court eventually overturned the conviction in June 1971.

Multiple Choice

Why did Ali refuse to go to the Army?

• his health

• his ambitions

• his faith

• all of the above

Just for fun