Transcript Muhammad ALI - University of Mount Union

Tom Christopher
James Coppeler
Tim Dyke
Muhammad Ali
• http://youtube.com/watch?v=9PialnOHxSk
&feature=related
Personal Background
• Born Cassius Clay Jan. 17th 1942 in Louisville,
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Kentucky
His father, Clay Sr. was a Methodist however his
mother, Odessa raised him as a Baptist
Started boxing in Junior High school
Great amateur career made him to decide to Box in
the Olympics in 1960 where he easily won the gold
medal and then later turned pro to become one of the
most well known boxers ever.
Achievements
• Won first 19 pro fights
• 1964 won first heavyweight title over Sonny
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Liston
Light-heavyweight gold medalist 1960
Olympics
3 time heavyweight champion
1999 named sportsman of the century (SI &
BBC)
2005- Given presidential medal of freedom
• Professional Record: 56 – 5 (37 KO’s)
• Ali was named “Fighter of the Year” by Ring
Magazine more than any other fighter
Ali and Islam
• After winning the title he announced his conversion to
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the Black Muslims and also announced he would
official change his name from Cassius Clay to
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad (one who is worthy of praise)
Ali (rightly guided caliph)
The adoption of this name symbolized his new identity
as a member of the Nation of Islam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrHE-yoSaTM
Ali and Islam cont…
• After aligning himself with the Nation of Islam, Ali
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became one of the most recognized, yet controversial
figures
Nation of Islam is a religious and social organization
that’s goal was to resurrect the spiritual, mental,
social and economic condition of the black man in
America
In 1975, Ali converted from Nation of Islam sect to
mainstream Sunni Islam
Ali & Vietnam War
• In 1964, Ali failed the U.S. Armed Forces qualifying
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test
In 1966, Ali’s results were revised and was now
eligible for the draft
When told he had to deploy to Vietnam he refused to
serve and considered himself a conscientious objector
Ali was quoted “War is against the teachings of the
Holy Qur’an. I'm not trying to dodge the draft. We
are not supposed to take part in no wars unless
declared by Allah or The Messenger. We don't take
part in Christian wars or wars of any unbelievers.”
Vietnam War Comeback
• He was found in violation of the Selective Service Act
• His titles were stripped from him and he was not
allowed to box
• After a long court battle, Ali was guilty of draft
evasion and sentenced to 5 years in prison and a
$10,000 fine
• In 1970, Ali was reinstated to box, where he then
faced Joe Frazier in “The Fight of the Century.”
Ali Legacy
• In his hometown of Louisville,
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Kentucky they voted 6-5 to
rename Walnut Street to
Muhammad Ali Boulevard
In 1984, he discovered he had
Parkinson’s Disease, a neurological
syndrome characterized by
tremors, rigidity of muscles and
slowness of speech and movement.
He has a Muhammad Ali Center,
along I-64 on Louisville’s
riverfront
Ali Legacy cont…
• Since he retired form boxing, Ali has devoted
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himself to humanitarian endeavors and travels
around the globe
He is a devout Muslim, and is in full support of
education efforts
Estimated to have provide more than 22
million meals for the hungry
Ali travels, on average, more than 200 days
per year
Converted Muslim Boxers
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Muhammad Ali
Mike Tyson
Chris Eubank
Bernard Hopkins
Danny Williams
Dwight Muhammad Qawi