Muhammad Ali is a three-time World Heavyweight champion. Sonny Liston Vs Muhammad Ali The title fight between Sonny Liston and Ali was scheduled On February 25, 1964 in Miami Florida. Ali was not widely expected to defeat Sonny Liston who was favorite to win (7–1 odds). The fight was nearly canceled when the promoters of the fight heard that Ali had become member of the Nation of Islam but Ali protested the suggested cancellation of the fight and as a compromise, Ali was asked the to delay his announcement about his conversion until after the fight. In the opening rounds, Ali’s speed kept him away from Liston’s powerful head and body shots, as he used his height advantage to beat Liston to the punch with his jabs. By the third round, Ali was ahead on points and had opened a cut under Liston’s eye, but Liston regained some ground in the fourth, as Ali was blinded by a substance in his eyes. It is unconfirmed whether this was something used to close Liston’s cuts, or deliberately applied to Liston’s gloves; Liston began the fourth round looking to put away Ali as the challenger struggled to recover his vision.

Ali was able to keep out of range until his sweat and tears rinsed the substance from his eyes, responding with a flurry of combinations near the end of the fifth round. By the sixth, Ali was looking to finish Liston. and when Liston failed to answer the bell for the seventh round, stating he had a shoulder injury Ali became the youngest boxer ever to take the title from a reigning heavyweight champion, until Mike Tyson won the title from Trevor Berbick. Sonny Liston Vs Muhammad Ali video Sonny Liston Vs Muhammad Ali rematch The rematch was held in May 1965 in Lewiston, Maine, and Ali won by knockout in the first round as a result of what came to be called the “phantom punch.” Many believe that Liston , possibly as a result of threats from Nation of Islam extremists, or in an attempt to “throw” the fight to pay off debts, waited to be counted out. Muhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston rematch video Early title defenses On November 22, 1965, Ali fought Floyd Patterson in his second title defense winning by a technical knockout at the end of the 12th round.

Ali then won a 15-round decision against opponent George Chuvalo and went to England where he defeated Henry Cooper by stoppage on cuts May 21. Muhammad Ali vs Ernie Terrel On February 6, 1967, Ali fought Terrell in what became one of the uglier fights in boxing. Terrell had angered Ali by calling him Clay, and Ali vowed to punish him. During the fight, Ali kept shouting at his opponent, “What’s my name, Uncle Tom. Terrell suffered 15 rounds of brutal punishment, losing 13 rounds on two judges’ scorecards, but Ali did not knock him out. Banned form boxing Ali’s refusal to be inducted into the U.S.military, based on his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War led to his arrest and in March 1967 was stripped of his title and had his professional boxing license suspended. His refusal to be inducted into the U.S. military, based on his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War led to his arrest. He was found guilty on draft evasion charges, stripped of his boxing title, and his boxing license was suspended.

He was not imprisoned, but did not fight again for nearly four years while his appeal worked its way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, where it was successful. Return to boxing and first fights Muhammad Ali vs Jerry Quarry On October 26, 1970,(while his case was still on appeal) Ali stopped Jerry Quarry on a cut after three rounds. Muhammad Ali vs Jerry Quarry video Muhammad Ali vs Oscar Bonavena Ali went to fight Oscar Bonavena at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 1970. After a tough 14 rounds, Ali stopped Bonavena in the 15th, paving the way for a title fight against Joe Frazier . Joe Frazier vs Muhammad Ali ‘The Fight of the Century’ The “Fight Of The Century” (On March 8, 1971), was the first meeting of two undefeated heavyweight champions , since Ali (31-0) had not lost his title in the ring (been stripped because of his refusal to be inducted in the Armed Forces). Frazier won a clear, 15-round, unanimous decision, retained his title.

After the fight Ali was taken to the hospital to have his badly swollen jaw x-rayed, and Frazier spent time in the hospital during the ensuing month, the exertions of the fight having been exacerbated by his existing health problems. (hypertension and kidney infection) Joe Frazier vs Muhammad Ali video Muhammad Ali vs Ken Norton I & II In 1973, Ali fought Ken Norton, who broke Ali’s jaw and won by split decision in 12 rounds. Muhammad Ali vs Ken Norton I video Ali won the rematch, also by split decision, on September 10, 1973, which set up Ali-Frazier II. Muhammad Ali vs Ken Norton II video Joe Frazier vs Muhammad Ali II A nontitle rematch with Joe Frazier , who had already lost his title to George Foreman. The bout was held on January 28, 1974, with Ali winning a unanimous 12-round decision. George Foreman vs Muhammad Ali ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ During the summer of 1974, Foreman traveled to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) to defend his title against Ali.

The bout was promoted as The Rumble in the Jungle. During training in Zaire, Foreman suffered a cut above his eye, forcing postponement of the match for a month. Foreman was favorite having knocked out both Joe Frazier and Ken Norton (the only men to defeat Ali to that point) within two rounds. When Foreman and Ali finally met in the ring, Ali began more aggressively than expected, outscoring Foreman with superior punching speed. In the second round, Ali retreated to the ropes, shielding his head and hitting Foreman in the face at every opportunity. Foreman dug vicious body punches into Ali’s sides; however, it quickly became clear that Foreman was unable to land a clean punch to Ali’s head. The ring ropes, being much looser than usual, allowed Ali to lean back and away from Foreman’s wild swings and then maul him in a clinch, forcing Foreman to expend extra energy untangling himself. Ali also pushed down on Foreman’s neck, getting away with a move the referee is expected to discourage. In either case, Ali was able to counter off the ropes with blows to the face, and was able to penetrate Foreman’s defense.

As the early rounds passed, Ali continued to take heavy punishment to the body, and occasionally a hard jolt to the head, but Foreman could not land his best punches directly on Ali’s chin. Eventually, Foreman began to tire and his punches became increasingly wild, losing power in the process. An increasingly-confident Ali taunted Foreman throughout the bout. Late in the eighth round, Ali began landing unreturned punches and sprang off the ropes with a sudden flurry to Foreman’s head, punctuated by a hard right cross that landed flush on Foreman’s jaw. Foreman was thrown off balance and fell to the floor. It was Foreman’s first defeat, and Muhammad Ali would remain the only boxer to defeat him by a knockout. George Foreman vs Muhammad Ali video The “Rumble in the Jungle” was the subject of a 1996 Academy Award winning documentary film, When We Were Kings. Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier ‘The Thrilla in Manila’ Ali and Frazier met for the third and final time in Quezon City, the Philippines, on October 1, 1975 best known as the “Thrilla in Manila”.

The fight for Ali’s title and was far more action-filled than the previous encounter. Ali came out and walked flat footed to the center of the ring and then proceeded to unleash a flurry of combinations on Frazier, who was hurt a number of times by Ali’s onslaught, including staggering backwards several times in the first few rounds. Frazier seemed to dominate the middle rounds and began punishing Ali to the body and the head with his trademark left hooks. By the sixth round, Frazier had staggered Ali in turn and seemed to be gaining control of the fight. In the tenth round, Frazier began to slow down and tire, and was met once more with punishing blows from Ali. With the punishment from Ali closing his right eye, Frazier was effectively fighting blind in the last rounds of the fight. By the 14th round Frazier was virtually helpless, and although Ali was tired and hurting, he was able to summon the energy once again to give Frazier a fierce beating, and once again Frazier was staggered and nearly knocked down before the bell ended the round. The fight ended when Frazier’s trainer Eddie Futch stopped the fight before the 15th and final round with Frazier sitting on his stool. Joe Frazier vs.

Muhammad Ali 3 Video Subsequent bouts and retirement Ali easily beat Jean-Pierre Coopman. In April 1976 he defeated Jimmy Young and then Richard Dunn the following month, which would turn out to be Ali’s last knockout victory. Muhammad Ali vs Ken Norton III On September 28. 1976, at Yankee Stadium, Ali faced Ken Norton in their third fight, with Ali winning a close but unanimous 15-round decision. Muhammed Ali successfully defended his titles against Ken Norton in a close fight as he was declared the victor in a disputed decision. The January 1998 issue of Boxing Monthly ranked Ali-Norton as the fifth most disputed title fight decision in history. Muhammad Ali vs Ken Norton III video During 1977 Ali defend his title against Alfredo Evangelista and Earnie Shavers. Fight doctor Ferdie Pacheco left Ali’s camp following the Shavers fight after being rebuffed for advising Ali to retire. Muhammad Ali vs Leon Spinks title fight In February 1978, Ali lost the heavweight title to 1976 Olympics Champion Leon Spinks.

Muhammad Ali vs Leon Spinks title rematch On September 15, 1978, Ali fought a rematch in the New Orleans Louisiana Superdome against Spinks for the WBA version of the Heavyweight title, winning it for a record third time. Muhammad Ali vs Leon Spinks title video First Retirement and comeback fight against Larry Holmes Larry Holmes vs Muhammad Ali Ali retired following this victory on June 27, 1979, but returned in 1980 to face current champion Larry Holmes in an attempt to win a heavyweight title an unprecedented four times. Angelo Dundee refused to let his man come out for the 11th round, in what became Ali’s only loss by anything other than a decision. Larry Holmes vs Muhammad Ali video Second Retirement and last fight against Trevor Berbick Ali’s final fight, a loss by unanimous decision after 10 rounds, was to up-and-coming challenger Trevor Berbick in 1981. Ali was nicknamed “The Greatest”, and was involved in several historic boxing matches such as the three with rival Joe Frazier and one with George Foreman , whom he beat by knockout to win the world heavyweight title for the second time.

Rather than the normal style which he described as “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”, and employing techniques such as the rope-a-dope. He was also known for his pre-match hype, where he would “trash talk” opponents on television and in person some time before the match, often with rhymes. These personality quips and idioms, along with an unorthodox fighting technique, made him a cultural icon. In later life, Ali developed Parkinson’s disease. In 1999, Ali was crowned “Sportsman of the Century” by Sports Illustrated and “Sports Personality of the Century” by the BBC. Photos of Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali -born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr-is a three-time World Heavyweight Champion, who is widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight championship boxers. Muhammad Ali, 'The Greatest' Boxing Legend, Dies at 74 Muhammad Ali, 'The Greatest' Boxing Legend, Dies at 74 Pin it Share Muhammad Ali, the three-time heavyweight champion of the world and global icon whose magnetic charm and anti-establishment ethos made him someone Hollywood found impossible to resist, has died. He was 74.

Ali, named Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated in 1999, died Friday at a hospital in Phoenix, a family spokesperson told ABC. In 1984, the boxer was diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome - a disease thought to be brought on by head trauma - and spent his last years increasingly shaky, immobile and quiet. On Thursday, Ali was hospitalized for a respiratory issue as a precaution and by Friday, his issues were serious enough to draw family members to his bedside. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening," family spokesperson Bob Gunnell said in a statement. The statement also reads, "Muhammad Ali's funeral will take place in his hometown of Louisville, KY. The Ali family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support and asks for privacy at this time." Will Smith received an Oscar nomination for portraying the champ in Michael Mann's Ali (2001), and the fighter played himself in The Greatest, a 1977 Columbia film adapted from his autobiography. Ali starred as a slave turned U.S.

senator opposite Kris Kristofferson in the 1979 NBC telefilm Freedom Road, based on a true story, and he lit the torch to kick off the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. And in the late 1970s, he even voiced his own Saturday morning cartoon, I Am the Greatest!: The Adventures of Muhammad Ali, which saw his character jetting around the world fighting evil. However seen or characterized onscreen, Ali was never more vital than in When We Were Kings (1996), the Oscar-winning feature documentary that immortalized "The Rumble in the Jungle," his Oct. 30, 1974, bout with heavyweight champion George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire. "I live in America," Ali says in the film, "but Africa is the home of the black man. I was a slave 400 years ago, and now I'm going home to fight among my brothers." Because of legal and financial difficulties, it took director-producer Leon Gast more than 20 years to bring When We Were Kings to the screen. In the bout, which started at 3 a.m.

local time, Ali, then 32, employed a "rope-a-dope" style to wear out the stronger Foreman, 24, before finishing him off in the eighth round to reclaim the crown taken from him in 1967 when he refused to serve in the U.S. military. See More: Muhammad Ali With His Famous Friends (Photos) That stance, coming after he joined the Nation of Islam and ditched his birth name Cassius Clay, angered many Americans, who called him a coward and a draft dodger. Others, though, considered him a hero - one who would go to Iraq and negotiate with Saddam Hussein to engineer the release of 15 U.S. civilian hostages in 1990 and receive the 2005 Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ali's wars came in the squared circle, where he also battled archrival Joe Frazier in three of the greatest boxing matches of all time before retiring from the ring in December 1981 with a 56-5 record and the title as the most recognizable person on Earth.

"When I fly on an airplane," Ali once told film critic Roger Ebert, "I look out of the window and I think, 'I am the only person that everyone down there knows about.' " Born in Louisville, Ky., on Jan. 17, 1942, Ali first entered the world spotlight when he captured a gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. He composed one of his first poems: "To make America the greatest is my goal, So I beat the Russians, and I beat the Pole, And for the USA won the medal of gold. Italians said, 'You're greater than the Cassius of old.' " Unlike most heavyweight boxers of his day, he had uncommon quickness and elusiveness, describing his style as "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." Outside the ropes, he showed a witty, intelligent side (even though he suffered from dyslexia and had trouble reading while growing up) and learned from pro wrestler Gorgeous George how to spew braggadocio. He took verbal assaults to a level never before reached in the annals of sport - then backed up pretty much every boast or prediction he made.

Read More At age 22 in February 1964, he surprised the surly 7-to-1 favorite Sonny Liston in Miami (he clowned around with The Beatles on their first trip to the States before the fight, and George Harrison would later call him "quite cute") to take the heavyweight title for the first time. "I shook up the world! I shook up the world," he shouted in the ring. He beat Liston again 15 months later in Lewiston, Maine; Neil Leifer's shot of Ali hovering over his fallen competitor is one of the most memorable sports photographs ever taken. In April 1967, Ali was arrested in Houston after he refused induction into the U.S. Armed Forces. The New York State Athletic Commission quickly suspended his boxing license and stripped him of his title, and other state commissions followed suit. On June 28, 1971, the Supreme Court overturned Ali's conviction.

(His legal battle was the subject of two projects in 2013: the HBO telefilm Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight and the documentary The Trials of Muhammad Ali .) Muhammad Ali, 'The Greatest' Boxing Legend, Dies at 74 | Billboard Muhammad Ali, 'The Greatest' Boxing Legend, Dies at 74 Stanley Weston/Getty Images Muhammad Ali photographed on May 17, 1962 in Long Island, New York. The most recognizable person on the planet gained fans in Hollywood and around the world for his exploits in and out of the boxing ring. Muhammad Ali, the three-time heavyweight champion of the world and global icon whose magnetic charm and anti-establishment ethos made him someone Hollywood found impossible to resist, has died. He was 74. Chuck D Raises Fist for Muhammad Ali, Musicians Remember 'The Greatest' on Social Media Ali, named Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated in 1999, died Friday at a Phoenix hospital. In 1984, the boxer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome -- a disease thought to be brought on by head trauma -- and spent his last years increasingly shaky, immobile and quiet.

Will Smith received an Oscar nomination for portraying the champ in Michael Mann’s Ali (2001), and the fighter played himself in The Greatest, a 1977 Columbia film adapted from his autobiography. Ali starred as a slave turned U.S. senator opposite Kris Kristofferson in the 1979 NBC telefilm Freedom Road, based on a true story, and he lit the torch to kick off the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. And in the late 1970s, he even voiced his own Saturday morning cartoon, I Am the Greatest!: The Adventures of Muhammad Ali, which saw his character jetting around the world fighting evil. However seen or characterized onscreen, Ali was never more vital than in When We Were Kings (1996), the Oscar-winning feature documentary that immortalized “The Rumble in the Jungle,” his Oct. 30, 1974, bout with heavyweight champion George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire. “I live in America,” Ali says in the film, “but Africa is the home of the black man.

I was a slave 400 years ago, and now I’m going home to fight among my brothers.” Muhammad Ali the Grammy-Nominated, Billboard-Charting Musician Because of legal and financial difficulties, it took director-producer Leon Gast more than 20 years to bring When We Were Kings to the screen. In the bout, which started at 3 a.m. local time, Ali, then 32, employed a “rope-a-dope” style to wear out the stronger Foreman, 24, before finishing him off in the eighth round to reclaim the crown taken from him in 1967 when he refused to serve in the U.S. military. That stance, coming after he joined the Nation of Islam and ditched his birth name Cassius Clay, angered many Americans, who called him a coward and a draft dodger. Others, though, considered him a hero – one that would go to Iraq and negotiate with Saddam Hussein to engineer the release of 15 U.S. civilian hostages in 1990 and receive the 2005 Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Ali’s wars came in the squared circle, where he also battled archrival Joe Frazier in three of the greatest boxing matches of all time before retiring from the ring in December 1981 with a 56-5 record and the title as the most recognizable person on Earth. “When I fly on an airplane,” Ali once told film critic Roger Ebert, “I look out of the window and I think, ‘I am the only person that everyone down there knows about.’ ” Born in Louisville, Ky., on Jan. 17, 1942, Ali first entered the world spotlight when he captured a gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. He composed one of his first poems: “To make America the greatest is my goal, So I beat the Russians, and I beat the Pole, And for the USA won the medal of gold.

Italians said, ‘You’re greater than the Cassius of old.’ ” Unlike most heavyweight boxers of his day, he had uncommon quickness and elusiveness, describing his style as “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Outside the ropes, he showed a witty, intelligent side (even though he suffered from dyslexia and had trouble reading while growing up) and learned from pro wrestler Gorgeous George how to spewed braggadocio. He took verbal assaults to a level never before reached in the annals of sport -- then backed up pretty much every boast or prediction he made. At age 22 in February 1964, he surprised the surly 7-to-1 favorite Sonny Liston in Miami (he clowned around with The Beatles on their first trip to the States before the fight, and George Harrison would later call him “quite cute”) to take the heavyweight title for the first time. “I shook up the world! I shook up the world,” he shouted in the ring. He beat Liston again 15 months later in Lewiston, Maine; Neil Leifer’s shot of Ali hovering over his fallen competitor is one of the most memorable sports photographs ever taken.

In April 1967, Ali was arrested in Houston after he refused induction into the U.S. Armed Forces. The New York State Athletic Commission quickly suspended his boxing license and stripped him of his title, and other state commissions followed suit. On June 28, 1971, the Supreme Court overturned Ali’s conviction. (His legal battle was the subject of two projects in 2013: the HBO telefilm Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight and the documentary The Trials of Muhammad Ali ). “When I look back, I see only what I have accomplished,” he wrote in his 2004 autobiography, The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life’s Journey. “The price I paid was nothing compared to what I gained. I lost the championship title. I lost three and a half of my prime fighting years.

I lost financial security and public acclaim, but I gained something greater by giving it all up — a title no man or government could ever take away: I was the People’s Champion.” In his third fight since returning from suspension, he lost to Frazier in a 15-round unanimous decision in March 1971 in New York’s Madison Square Garden in “The Fight of the Century.” Frank Sinatra was ringside to photograph the bout for Life magazine. After avenging that defeat in a non-title bout back at the Garden in January 1974, Ali met his rival again in October 1975 in the Philippines for “The Thrilla in Manilla,” with Ali prevailing when Frazier could not come off his stool for the 14th round. Both fighters were exhausted and struggling to survive. “I remember telling [trainer] Angelo [Dundee] after I won that it was the closest I’d ever come to dying,” he wrote in his book.

In September 1976, Ali beat Ken Norton in Yankee Stadium in New York in their third meeting, And seven months after a shocking loss to Leon Spinks, he avenged that defeat in New Orleans in September 1978 to become heavyweight champ for an unprecedented third time. Ali’s other brushes with the world of entertainment included a cameo in the 1962 film version of Requiem for a Heavyweight; appearing as a mystery guest (can you imagine?) on a 1965 episode of What’s My Line?; starring on Broadway during his exile in the 1969 short-lived musical Buck White; as the subject of a Dean Martin Celebrity Roast in 1976; making sportscaster Howard Cosell a frequent foil on Saturday afternoons on ABC’s Wide World of Sports; sparring with Rocky star Sylvester Stallone on stage at the 1977 Oscars; showing up on episodes of Diff’rent Strokes, Vegas and Touched by an Angel; and refereeing Hulk Hogan’s WrestleMania I bout in 1985.

Ali was married four times, the last to the former Lonnie Williams, who survives him, as does his nine children: Maryum, Rasheda, Jamillah, Hana, Laila (a former boxer herself and reality TV star), Khaliah, Miya, Muhammad and Asaad. In his autobiography, Ali reflected on his legacy and how he would be judged. “When I’m gone, they’ll just have to look at the records and look at my actions. Then it is up to the people to rank me where they want,” he wrote. “They’ll have to say I was the fastest heavyweight that ever lived. They’ll have to say that I was the best looking — my face was unscratched and unmarked. They’ll have to say that I was the most entertaining and the most clever. They’ll say that even without a college education, I was smart enough to lecture at colleges and debate the best minds on television. They’ll have to say that I was the only real world champion. I fought in such diverse places as Zaire, England, Indonesia, Switzerland, Japan and the Philippines. “They’ll have to say that I was the most famous man in the world, the most famous fighter in history.

They’ll have to say that I invented the rope-a-dope and the Ali Shuffle. They’ll have to say that I was the boxer who could predict the winning rounds of my fights. They’ll have to say that I was the People’s Champion. They’ll have to say that after I stopped boxing, the sport lost its zest and wide appeal. They’ll have to say that I loved the people as much as they loved me. “And after they review all the facts, they’ll have no choice but to conclude that I AM the Greatest of All Time!” Muhammad Ali - Black History - HISTORY.com Google Muhammad Ali’s Early Years and Amateur Career Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., the elder son of Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr. (1912-1990) and Odessa Grady Clay (1917-1994), was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky . It was a red-and-white Schwinn that steered the future heavyweight champion to the sport of boxing.

When his beloved bicycle was stolen, a tearful 12-year-old Clay reported the theft to Louisville police officer Joe Martin (1916-1996) and vowed to pummel the culprit. Martin, who was also a boxing trainer, suggested that the upset youngster first learn how to fight, and he took Clay under his wing. Six weeks later, Clay won his first bout in a split decision. Did You Know? Muhammad Ali has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated 38 times, second only to basketball great Michael Jordan. By age 18 Clay had captured two national Golden Gloves titles, two Amateur Athletic Union national titles and 100 victories against eight losses. After graduating high school, he traveled to Rome and won the light heavyweight gold medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics. Clay won his professional boxing debut on October 29, 1960, in a six-round decision.

From the start of his pro career, the 6-foot-3-inch heavyweight overwhelmed his opponents with a combination of quick, powerful jabs and foot speed, and his constant braggadocio and self-promotion earned him the nickname “Louisville Lip.” Muhammad Ali: Heavyweight Champion of the World After winning his first 19 fights, including 15 knockouts, Clay received his first title shot on February 25, 1964, against reigning heavyweight champion Sonny Liston (1932-1970). Although he arrived in Miami Beach, Florida , a 7-1 underdog, the 22-year-old Clay relentlessly taunted Liston before the fight, promising to “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” and predicting a knockout. When Liston failed to answer the bell at the start of the seventh round, Clay was indeed crowned heavyweight champion of the world. In the ring after the fight, the new champ roared, “I am the greatest!” At a press conference the next morning, Clay, who had been seen around Miami with controversial Nation of Islam member Malcolm X (1925-1965), confirmed the rumors of his conversion to Islam.

On March 6, 1964, Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad (1897-1975) bestowed on Clay the name of Muhammad Ali. Ali solidified his hold on the heavyweight championship by knocking out Liston in the first round of their rematch on May 25, 1965, and he defended his title eight more times. Then, with the Vietnam War raging, Ali showed up for his scheduled induction into the U.S. Armed Forces on April 28, 1967. Citing his religious beliefs, he refused to serve. Ali was arrested, and the New York State Athletic Commission immediately suspended his boxing license and revoked his heavyweight belt. Convicted of draft evasion, Ali was sentenced to the maximum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, but he remained free while the conviction was appealed. Many saw Ali as a draft dodger, and his popularity plummeted. Banned from boxing for three years, Ali spoke out against the Vietnam War on college campuses. As public attitudes turned against the war, support for Ali grew.

In 1970 the New York State Supreme Court ordered his boxing license reinstated, and the following year the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction in a unanimous decision. Muhammad Ali’s Return to the Ring After 43 months in exile, Ali returned to the ring on October 26, 1970, and knocked out Jerry Quarry (1945-1999) in the third round. On March 8, 1971, Ali got his chance to regain his heavyweight crown against reigning champ Joe Frazier (1944-2011) in what was billed as the “Fight of the Century.” The undefeated Frazier floored Ali with a hard left hook in the final round. Ali got up but lost in a unanimous decision, experiencing his first defeat as a pro. Ali won his next 10 bouts before being defeated by Ken Norton (1943-). He won the rematch six months later in a split decision and gained further revenge in a unanimous decision over Frazier in a non-title rematch. The victory gave the 32-year-old Ali a title shot against 25-year-old champion George Foreman (1949-).

The October 30, 1974, fight in Kinshasa, Zaire, was dubbed the “Rumble in the Jungle.” Ali, the decided underdog, employed his “rope-a-dope” strategy, leaning on the ring ropes and absorbing a barrage of blows from Foreman while waiting for his opponent to tire. The strategy worked, and Ali won in an eighth-round knockout to regain the title stripped from him seven years prior. Ali successfully defended his title in 10 fights, including the memorable “Thrilla in Manila” on October 1, 1975, in which his bitter rival Frazier, his eyes swollen shut, was unable to answer the bell for the final round. Ali also defeated Norton in their third meeting in a unanimous 15-round decision. On February 15, 1978, an aging Ali lost his title to Leon Spinks (1953-) in a 15-round split decision. Seven months later, Ali defeated Spinks in a unanimous 15-round decision to reclaim the heavyweight crown and become the first fighter to win the world heavyweight boxing title three times.

After announcing his retirement in 1979, Ali launched a brief, unsuccessful comeback. However, he was overwhelmed in a technical knockout loss to Larry Holmes (1949-) in 1980, and he dropped a unanimous 10-round decision to Trevor Berbick (1954-2006) on December 11, 1981. After the fight, the 39-year-old Ali retired for good with a career record of 56 wins, five losses and 37 knockouts. Muhammad Ali’s Later Years and Legacy In 1984 Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome, possibly connected to the severe head trauma suffered during his boxing career. The former champion’s motor skills slowly declined, and his movement and speech were limited. In spite of the Parkinson’s, Ali remained in the public spotlight, traveling the world to make humanitarian, goodwill and charitable appearances. He met with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein (1937-2006) in 1990 to negotiate the release of American hostages, and in 2002 he traveled to Afghanistan as a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

Ali had the honor of lighting the cauldron during the opening ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. In 1999 Ali was voted the BBC’s “Sporting Personality of the Century,” and Sports Illustrated named him “Sportsman of the Century.” Ali was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a 2005 White House ceremony, and in the same year the $60 million Muhammad Ali Center, a nonprofit museum and cultural center focusing on peace and social responsibility, opened in Louisville. Ring Magazine named Ali “Fighter of the Year” five times, more than any other boxer, and he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. Ali has been married four times and has seven daughters and two sons. He married his fourth wife, Yolanda, in 1986. Ali died at the age of 74 on June 3, 2016. Tags Muhammad Ali Dead: 'The Greatest' Was 74 | Hollywood Reporter Courtesy of Photofest Muhammad Ali The most recognizable person on the planet gained fans in Hollywood and around the world for his exploits in and out of the boxing ring.

Muhammad Ali, the three-time heavyweight champion of the world and global icon whose magnetic charm and anti-establishment ethos made him someone Hollywood found impossible to resist, has died. He was 74. Ali, named Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated in 1999, died Friday at a hospital in Phoenix, a family spokesperson told ABC. In 1984, the boxer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome — a disease thought to be brought on by head trauma — and spent his last years increasingly shaky, immobile and quiet. On Thursday, Ali was hospitalized for a respiratory issue as a precaution and by Friday, his issues were serious enough to draw family members to his bedside. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening," family spokesperson Bob Gunnell said in a statement. The statement also reads, "Muhammad Ali’s funeral will take place in his hometown of Louisville, KY.

The Ali family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support and asks for privacy at this time." Will Smith received an Oscar nomination for portraying the champ in Michael Mann’s Ali (2001), and the fighter played himself in The Greatest, a 1977 Columbia film adapted from his autobiography. Ali starred as a slave turned U.S. senator opposite Kris Kristofferson in the 1979 NBC telefilm Freedom Road, based on a true story, and he lit the torch to kick off the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. And in the late 1970s, he even voiced his own Saturday morning cartoon, I Am the Greatest!: The Adventures of Muhammad Ali, which saw his character jetting around the world fighting evil. However seen or characterized onscreen, Ali was never more vital than in When We Were Kings (1996), the Oscar-winning feature documentary that immortalized “The Rumble in the Jungle,” his Oct. 30, 1974, bout with heavyweight champion George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire. “I live in America,” Ali says in the film, “but Africa is the home of the black man.

I was a slave 400 years ago, and now I’m going home to fight among my brothers.” Because of legal and financial difficulties, it took director-producer Leon Gast more than 20 years to bring When We Were Kings to the screen. In the bout, which started at 3 a.m. local time, Ali, then 32, employed a “rope-a-dope” style to wear out the stronger Foreman, 24, before finishing him off in the eighth round to reclaim the crown taken from him in 1967 when he refused to serve in the U.S. military. That stance, coming after he joined the Nation of Islam and ditched his birth name Cassius Clay, angered many Americans, who called him a coward and a draft dodger. Others, though, considered him a hero – one who would go to Iraq and negotiate with Saddam Hussein to engineer the release of 15 U.S. civilian hostages in 1990 and receive the 2005 Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Ali’s wars came in the squared circle, where he also battled archrival Joe Frazier in three of the greatest boxing matches of all time before retiring from the ring in December 1981 with a 56-5 record and the title as the most recognizable person on Earth. “When I fly on an airplane,” Ali once told film critic Roger Ebert, “I look out of the window and I think, ‘I am the only person that everyone down there knows about.’ ” Born in Louisville, Ky., on Jan. 17, 1942, Ali first entered the world spotlight when he captured a gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. He composed one of his first poems: “To make America the greatest is my goal, So I beat the Russians, and I beat the Pole, And for the USA won the medal of gold.

Italians said, ‘You’re greater than the Cassius of old.’ ” Unlike most heavyweight boxers of his day, he had uncommon quickness and elusiveness, describing his style as “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Outside the ropes, he showed a witty, intelligent side (even though he suffered from dyslexia and had trouble reading while growing up) and learned from pro wrestler Gorgeous George how to spew braggadocio. He took verbal assaults to a level never before reached in the annals of sport — then backed up pretty much every boast or prediction he made. At age 22 in February 1964, he surprised the surly 7-to-1 favorite Sonny Liston in Miami (he clowned around with The Beatles on their first trip to the States before the fight, and George Harrison would later call him “quite cute”) to take the heavyweight title for the first time. “I shook up the world! I shook up the world,” he shouted in the ring. He beat Liston again 15 months later in Lewiston, Maine; Neil Leifer’s shot of Ali hovering over his fallen competitor is one of the most memorable sports photographs ever taken.

In April 1967, Ali was arrested in Houston after he refused induction into the U.S. Armed Forces. The New York State Athletic Commission quickly suspended his boxing license and stripped him of his title, and other state commissions followed suit. On June 28, 1971, the Supreme Court overturned Ali’s conviction. (His legal battle was the subject of two projects in 2013: the HBO telefilm Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight and the documentary The Trials of Muhammad Ali .) “When I look back, I see only what I have accomplished,” he wrote in his 2004 autobiography, The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life’s Journey. “The price I paid was nothing compared to what I gained. I lost the championship title. I lost three and a half of my prime fighting years.

I lost financial security and public acclaim, but I gained something greater by giving it all up — a title no man or government could ever take away: I was the People’s Champion.” In his third fight since returning from suspension, he lost to Frazier in a 15-round unanimous decision in March 1971 in New York’s Madison Square Garden in “The Fight of the Century.” Frank Sinatra was ringside to photograph the bout for Life magazine. After avenging that defeat in a non-title bout back at the Garden in January 1974, Ali met his rival again in October 1975 in the Philippines for “The Thrilla in Manilla,” with Ali prevailing when Frazier could not come off his stool for the 14th round. Both fighters were exhausted and struggling to survive. “I remember telling [trainer] Angelo [Dundee] after I won that it was the closest I’d ever come to dying,” he wrote in his book.

In September 1976, Ali beat Ken Norton in Yankee Stadium in New York in their third meeting, And seven months after a shocking loss to Leon Spinks, he avenged that defeat in New Orleans in September 1978 to become heavyweight champ for an unprecedented third time. Ali’s other brushes with the world of entertainment included a cameo in the 1962 film version of Requiem for a Heavyweight; appearing as a mystery guest (can you imagine?) on a 1965 episode of What’s My Line?; starring on Broadway during his exile in the 1969 short-lived musical Buck White; as the subject of a Dean Martin Celebrity Roast in 1976; making sportscaster Howard Cosell a frequent foil on Saturday afternoons on ABC’s Wide World of Sports; sparring with Rocky star Sylvester Stallone on stage at the 1977 Oscars; showing up on episodes of Diff’rent Strokes, Vegas and Touched by an Angel; and refereeing Hulk Hogan’s WrestleMania I bout in 1985.

Ali was married four times, the last to the former Lonnie Williams, who survives him, as do his nine children: Maryum, Rasheda, Jamillah, Hana, Laila (a former boxer herself and reality TV star), Khaliah, Miya, Muhammad and Asaad. In his autobiography, Ali reflected on his legacy and how he would be judged. “When I’m gone, they’ll just have to look at the records and look at my actions. Then it is up to the people to rank me where they want,” he wrote. “They’ll have to say I was the fastest heavyweight that ever lived. They’ll have to say that I was the best looking — my face was unscratched and unmarked. They’ll have to say that I was the most entertaining and the most clever. They’ll say that even without a college education, I was smart enough to lecture at colleges and debate the best minds on television. They’ll have to say that I was the only real world champion. I fought in such diverse places as Zaire, England, Indonesia, Switzerland, Japan and the Philippines. “They’ll have to say that I was the most famous man in the world, the most famous fighter in history.

They’ll have to say that I invented the rope-a-dope and the Ali Shuffle. They’ll have to say that I was the boxer who could predict the winning rounds of my fights. They’ll have to say that I was the People’s Champion. They’ll have to say that after I stopped boxing, the sport lost its zest and wide appeal. They’ll have to say that I loved the people as much as they loved me. “And after they review all the facts, they’ll have no choice but to conclude that I AM the Greatest of All Time!” On Saturday, the city of Louisville announced in a release that it will host the funeral for the boxing great on Friday, June 3, at the KFC YUM! Center. Beginning at 2 p.m., it will be open to the public and streamed live from Preceding the funeral, a 9 a.m. processional will travel throughout Louisville, passing locations that were historically important to Ali. He will be buried in a private ceremony at Cave Hill Cemetery. The Muhammad Ali Center will also be open throughout the week to allow the public to celebrate the life and legacy of the heavyweight champion. Muhammad Ali, Boxing Heavyweight champion - The Greatest [PHOTOS] Muhammad Ali, date unknown.

Denver Post Library photo archive After a night of making Denver, and Sonny Liston in particular, aware of his presence. Cassius Clay and troupe found accommodations at the Albany Hotel. The Denver Post caught him in bed Tuesday morning asking for the time of day and telling hotel employees what a great night he had Monday on the Liston home's front lawn in 1963. Denver Post Library photo archive Cassius Clay, brash young heavyweight, holds up six fingers to denote the round in which he expects to demolish Doug Jones when they tangle in Madison Square Garden Wednesday. Clay arrived in New York from Miami where he spent much of his time needling Sonny Liston. Jones' response to Clay's latest poems. "What did he say?" 1963. Denver Post Library photo archive Muhammad Ali, 1963 Denver Post Library photo archive Muhammad Ali, 1963 AP Photo Cassius Clay was the winner by a unanimous decision over Doug Jones in a 1963 fight in New York, but it wasn't all one-sided. In top photos, Jones was on the receiving end of a couple of hard Clay punches, but got his turn in the bottom picture.

Clay rallied in the final two rounds to get 18th win in unbeaten string. AP Photo Challenger Cassius Clay pokes a fast left jab to the face of Sonny Liston during their championship heavyweight fight in Miami Beach, Fla. in 1964. Clay used the in and out tactics to gain a TKO in the seventh round after Liston strained a shoulder and suffered a bad gash under the left eye. AP Photo Cassius Clay, left, bangs a right to the face of Sonny Liston during heavyweight championship fight in Miami Beach, Fla. in 1964. Liston, suffering a cut left eye and a strained shoulder, lost his crown on a seventh round. AP Photo Cassius Clay (left) was his usual brash self at the weigh-in for his fight with heavyweight champion Sonny Liston in 1964 at Miami Beach. But even the fact Clay was slapped a $2,500 fine for his antics couldn't force a smile on glowering Liston (right). The champ weighed in at 218, while challenger Clay scaled 210 1/2.

AP Photo Challenger Cassius Clay pokes a fast left jab to the face of Sonny Liston during their championship heavyweight fight in Miami Beach, Fla. in 1964. Clay used the in and out tactics to gain a TKO in the seventh round after Liston strained a shoulder and suffered a bad gash under the left eye. AP Photo Cassius Clay, left, bangs a right to the face of Sonny Liston during heavyweight championship fight in Miami Beach, Fla. in 1964. Liston, suffering a cut left eye and a strained shoulder, lost his crown on a seventh round. AP Photo Muhammad Ali, who'll fight heavyweight champ Sonny Liston on February 25, clowns a bit with the Beatles at his training camp in Miami Beach, Florida on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 1964. The Beatles are, from left: Ringo Starr, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney. Denver Post Library photo archive It wasn't all Clay, though, despite the fact he claimed the title in one of boxing's biggest upsets. Clay took his share of punches as shown in this fifth-round action as a right hand smash by Liston turns his head.

Liston had decided edge in round in 1964. AP Photo Cassius Clay raises both hands as handlers enter the ring after he was declared world champion of the heavyweight ranks in Miami Beach, Fla. in 1964. Clay stopped champion Sonny Liston after six rounds. Drew Brown, Associated Press Never for a loss of words, Cassius Clay answers questions during news conference after his technical knockout win over world heavyweight champ Sonny Liston in Miami Beach, Fla. in 1964. At Clay's left is a handler, Drew Brown. AP Photo Challenger Cassius Clay makes a loud shout as Dr. Alexander Robbins, right, finishes his examination of Clay. After examining Clay at the weigh-in-today Dr. Robbins said, "This is a man who is scared to death. He is living in mortal fear." Clay meets heavyweight champion Sonny Liston in a title fight in Miami Beach in 1964. AP Photo Cassius Clay, the new world heavyweight boxing champion, signs autograph outside a downtown New York newsreel theater today as Black Muslim leader Malcolm X stands alongside.

They had just watched a screening of film on Clay's title fight with Sonny Liston at Miami Beach, Fla., in 1964. AP Photo Cassius Clay makes like a loud mouth after being declared heavyweight champion of the world at Miami Beach, Fla. tonight. The talkative Clay stopped champion Sonny Liston after six rounds in one of the greatest upsets in fight history. 1964. AP Photo Heavyweight champ admits wide-open mouth makes statue look like him. 1964. Denver Post Library photo archive MUHAMMAD Ali, 1964. AP Photo Cassius Clay, the new Heavyweight champion after defeating Sonny Liston last night, gives his version of the fight at a press conference here this morning. The champion was in a much more relaxed mood than yesterday when he almost broke up the weigh in ceremonies with a shouting and fist-waving demonstration. 1964. Denver Post Library photo archive MUHAMMAD ALI, 1964. AP Photo Cassius Clay punches the heavy bag in one of his daily workouts at Miami Beach for the Feb. 25 championship bout with heavyweight Sonny Liston. 1964.

AP Photo Heavyweight challenger Cassius Clay lets out a howl as he steps to the box office today to buy tickets for his Tuesday night fight with champion Sonny Liston. Prices are sealed from $250 for ringside seats down to $20 for the cheapest seats. Associated Press file World heavyweight boxing champion Cassius Clay poses wearing the 24-carat gold plated championship belt presented him in New York. Clay predicted a long reign on the boxing throne for himself and eventual retirement as "the undefeated, untarnished and still the prettiest" heavyweight champion of them all. The belt was presented by Ring Magazine in whose office the ceremony took place. 1964. Denver Post Library photo archive MUHAMMAD ALI , 1964 AP Photo Floyd Patterson shoots a straight right but champion Cassius Clay ducks back and takes blow on shoulder in their heavyweight title fight at Las Vegas. Clay got in almost all effective punches to win by a TKO in the 12th round. AP Photo -Heavyweight champion Cassius Clay moves in with a series of smashes to the face of challenger Floyd Patterson in the sixth round of their title fight at Las Vegas, Nev., 1965.

AP Photo Heavyweight challenger Floyd Patterson takes a smash to the midsection as champion Cassius Clay throws full leverage into the blow in the 10th round of last night's title fight. Patterson took a severe beating and lost on a 12th round technical knockout. (AP Wirephoto) 1965 But the blows didn't always go to the head. The battered Patterson tries to pull in his belly to take some of the impact off Clay's solid right to the midsection during a 10th-round flurry. By this time Clay was making a punching bag of the challenger. Denver Post Library photo archive Referee Joe Walcott guides heavyweight champion Cassius Clay to a neutral corner after Clay downed challenger Sonny Liston (struggling to his feet) in the first round of their championship bout here May 25th., 1965. Clay retained his crown by scoring a one-minute knockout victory over Liston in the controversial fight. AP Photo Heavyweight champion Cassius Clay, arms upraised, begins his victory dance around challenger Sonny Liston after he cut short their scheduled 15-round title bout by knocking him out in one minute of the first round.

Referee Joe Walcott waves his arm ending the bout. 1965 AP Photo Floyd Patterson appears groggy with his knees about to go under as champion Cassius Clay whips another sweeping blast to his face a moment before their heavyweight title fight was stopped at Las Vegas, Nev., 1965. Referee Harry Krause stepped in to call a 12th round technical knockout. AP Photo Champion Cassius Clay lands a right smash to the jaw of challenger Floyd Patterson in the seventh round of their title fight at Las Vegas, Nev. (AP Wirephoto) 1965 Heavyweight champion Cassius Clay lands a hard right tot he face of challenger Floyd Patterson in the seventh round of title fight in Las Vegas on Nov. 22. Clay gave Patterson a severe beating before fight was stopped in the 12th. Clay was still at it in the seventh round, pouring a barrage of blows to Patterson's head. This one makes the challenger's eyes roll and it's obvious he's in more than a little pain. AP Photo The heavyweight champion, one Cassius Clay, glowers at challenger Sonny Liston who lies stretched out on canvas in first and only round of a title bout.

Clay won on a KO. Liston is stretched out on the deck after taking a right-hand punch from Clay. The knockout at one minute of the first round was the shortest ever recorded in a heavy-weight championship fight. The crowd in the Lewiston, Maine arena screamed "fake, fake, fake" when it was announced the former champ had been kayoed. 1965 AP Photo Heavyweight champion Cassius Clay may not only be acting when he looks with amazement at the fist of former heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey. The two posed at Boxing Writers Association's annual dinner in New York last night. Clay told the group that more white hopes would cure boxing ills and that with more white hopes like Dempsey and Gene Tunney around he could draw a $30 million gate fighting them. 1965. AP Photo Cassius Clay said at a news conference, he wants to fight Ernest Terrell, Floyd Patterson and George Chuvalo in a single night and them retire from the ring. He said "a man in my tax bracket can't afford to fight more than once a year.

I want to get them all out of the way at once, so I can retire." 1965 Denver Post Library photo archive MUHAMMAD ALI, 1966. AP Photo Cassius Clay (left) grimaces as he takes a left to the body from Canada's George Chuvalo midway in their 15-round bout in Toronto Tuesday night. Clay boasted later that this proved he could take a body punch. Clay won a unanimous decision. 1966. AP Photo Heavyweight Champion Cassius Clay connects with a right to the face of Challenger Cleveland Williams in the second round of their championship fight in Houston tonight. This blow sent Williams to the canvas for the third time in the round. Williams was saved by the bell but Referee Harry Kessler halted the fight in the third round. 1966. AP Photo Heavyweight champion Cassius Clay tells dressing room crowd. "My plan for the fight was to punch--and you saw it," after he defeated challenger Cleveland Williams on a technical knockout in Houston's Astrodome tonight. Clay also credited his 'Ali shuffle' for aiding him in downing Williams four times in the three round fight.

Denver Post library archive Denver Post Library photo archive Archie Moore and Muhammad Ali . AP Photo Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, left center, talks to the media in Louisville, Ky., after conferring with civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, right center, regarding the boxer's draft status in this March 29, 1967 file photo. Ali was in his hometown for his court suit to prevent his Army induction April 28 in Houston. Later, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund represented Ali when the high court struck down his conviction for refusing to serve in the military. AP Photo Muhammad Ali hits a hard right to Jerry Quarry during their fight Oct. 26, 1970, in Atlanta, Ga. The fight was stopped after the third round and Ali was declared the winner. Quarry, a popular heavyweight who fought Ali and Floyd Patterson then eventually lapsed into a punch-drunk fog, died Sunday, Jan. 3, 1999 in Templeton, Calif. after being taken off life support. He was 53. AP Photo Heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali makes a point during a news conference that he conducts from inside the ring in Atlanta, Ga., in this Oct.

24, 1970, file photo. A new book, "Ali Rap: Muhammad Ali the First Heavyweight Champion of Rap," proclaims Ali's verbal barrage was more than self-promotion, but sowed the seeds of hip-hop, which came into being in the `70 AP Photo In this March 8, 1971, file photo, Muhammad Ali. right, takes a left from Joe Frazier during the 15th round of their heavyweight title boxing bout in New York. Frazier won a unanimous decision. Frazier, the former heavyweight champion who handed Ali his first defeat yet had to live forever in his shadow, died Monday Nov. 7, 2011 after a brief fight with liver cancer. He was 67. AP Photo Boxer Muhammad Ali, left, stands with Karate instructor George Dillman in this 1971 file photo at Ali's training camp in Deer Lake, Pa. Dillman has purchased the six acre parcel that Ali called 'Fighters Haven' and is turning it into a bed and breakfast. Denver Post Library photo archive Muhammad Ali Often chops down as many trees as he can in 15 minutes. 1972.

Denver Post Library photo archive Muhammad Ali grimaces as ken Norton connects with a left the chin during their 12-round heavyweight bout at the sports arena in San Diego , Calif. Ali lost on a split decision. 1971. Denver Post Library photo archive Chuvalo Scores With A Left - George Chuvalo, Canadian heavyweight champion, connects with a left to the head of Muhammad Ali, former heavyweight champion in action in the first round of their scheduled 12-round fight at Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum Monday night. 1972. Joe Caneva, The Associated Press Muhammad Ali, former world heavyweight boxing champion, toys with the finely combed hair of television sports commentator Howard Cosell before the start of the Olympic boxing trials, August 7, 1972, in West Point, N.Y. Denver Post Library photo archive Muhammad Ali (R) , seems to be holding Ken Norton up in a corner in the fifth round of their return match at the forum. Ali won the match in a split decision making it 1 and 1. 1973.

Denver Post Library photo archive A mean looking Muhammad Ali throws a left to the head of a ducking Ken Norton during the first round of a return match between Norton and Ali in what is being billed as the "Battle of the Broken Jaw." 1973. Denver Post Library photo archive Muhammad Ali scores with a hard right to the head of Ken Norton. The former heavyweight champion wiped out the stain of a broken Jaw upset loss to ken Norton 5 ? months ago by scoring a split decision in the 12-round rematch. 1973. Denver Post Library photo archive Muhammad Ali delivers a vicious right chop to the head of ken Norton 9/10. Ali, the former heavyweight champion came back to win a split decision in the 12-round rematch. Ali was defeated 5 ? months ago by Norton in San Diego. 1973. Denver Post Library photo archive Muhammad Ali scores with a solid right to the head of ken Norton as he goes on to win a split decision. Ali was defeated 5? months ago by Norton in San Diego when he broke the jaw of Ali.

1973 Denver Post library archive Muhammad Ali crashes a right to the side of Ken Norton's head during a middle round of their 12-round re-match at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., 1973. AP Photo Trevor Berbick, left, and Muhammad Ali seem to have an equal reach as they slug it out during a Friday night boxing match in this Dec. 12, 1981 file photo in Nassau, Bahamas. Berbick, who lost his heavyweight title to Mike Tyson and was the last boxer to fight Muhammad Ali, was found dead Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, in a church courtyard in Kingston, Jamaica, police said. He was 52. AP Wirephoto Ali wins Back The Crown--George Foreman Falls toward the canvas as his defense of the world heavy weight title ends in an eighth-round knockout by Muhammad Ali Oct. 30 in Kinshasa, Zaire. 1974. Denver Post Library photo archive Zaire admirers grab the arm of Muhammad Ali when he stopped in downtown Kinshasa during his sightseeing tout Tuesday morning. 1974.

AFP, Getty Images This file photo taken on September 28, 1974 shows former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali being welcomed by a cheering crowd in Kinshasa, Zaire, before his world heavyweight championship fight against titleholder US George Foreman on October 30, 1974. AP Photo Muhammad Ali throws a punch at Joe Frazier, right, during their bout at Madison Square Garden in New York, Jan. 28, 1974. Ali's hometown of Louisville is ready to unveil a museum celebrating the life of one of the 20th century's most recognizable figures. The Muhammad Ali Center is to open Nov. 21,2005, chronicling the life of "The Greatest" inside and outside the ring, emphasizing his peaceful values and vision of global tolerance, and setting the record straight about that infamous gold medal. Associated Press file Muhammad Ali October 9, 1974 Denver post Library Archive Angela Davis With Muhammad Ali in 1974. AP Photo Challenger Muhammad Ali is directed to a neutral corner by referee Zack Clayton after knocking down George Foreman and ending their title fight in the eighth round, in Kinshasa, Zaire, in this Oct.

29, 1974 photo. Associated Press file Muhammad Ali throws a punch at Joe Frazier, right, during their bout at Madison Square Garden in New York, Jan. 28, 1974. Ali's hometown of Louisville is ready to unveil a museum celebrating the life of one of the 20th century's most recognizable figures. The Muhammad Ali Center is to open Nov. 21,2005, chronicling the life of "The Greatest" inside and outside the ring, emphasizing his peaceful values and vision of global tolerance, and setting the record straight about that infamous gold medal. AP Wirephoto Muhammad Ali hits Ron Lyle with a hard right to the chin during action in their title fight in Las Vegas. Ali won the fight with a TKO in the 11th round. AP Photo In this Oct. 1, 1975 file photo, spray flies from the head of challenger Joe Frazier, left, as heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali connects with a right in the ninth round of their title fight in Manila, Philippines. Denver Post Library photo archive MUHAMMAD ALI, 1974. Denver Post Library photo archive Flip Wilson with Muhammad Ali in 1975.

AP Wirephoto Who's The Real Fisticuffs Man?--Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler, left, and Muhammad Ali, world heavyweight box champion, mockingly glare at each, other as they compare fists during a press conference in New York Monday. Stabler and Ali were among 33 athletes in different fields selected by sportswriters for the third annual Gillette Cavalcade of Champions Awards. Sports fan across the country will vote to select the outstanding athletes of the year from the ballot and the results were be announced on NBC. 1975 Associated Press file World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali shouts "Joe Bugner must go!" to Malaysian fans during a training session at a Kuala Lumpur stadium, June 15, 1975. Ali defends his title against Britain's European champion Joe Bugner on July 1. AP Wirephoto No Way Out--Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali keeps challenger Jimmy Young up against the ropes during their championship fight at Landover Friday. Ali won a unanimous decision in fifteen rounds. 1976. Denver post Library Archive What is this-a roast or a beating?

Ruth Buzzi attacks Muhammad Ali, left, with her purse as host Dean Martin tries to rescue the heavyweight champion, in an NBC roast 1976. Howard Cosell, right, joins the fun, along with Freddie Prinze, Gene Kelly, Wilt Chamberlain, Floyd Patterson and Orson Welles. 1976. Denver post Library Archive Exchanging JABS - Muhammad Ali, right, delivers a jab to the face of Ron Lyle during an exchange of punches in the first round to their title fight in Las Vegas Friday night. 1975. The Associated Press Professional wrestler Freddy Blassie, right, is shown tangling with boxing legend Muhammad Ali while filming a promotion at an arena in Philadelphia on June 1, 1976. Associated Press file Ali Connects--Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali connects with a left to the face of Jimmy Young during their championship bout at Landover Friday. Ali won a unanimous decision in fifteen rounds. 1976. Denver Post Library photo archive His back against the ring ropes , Muhammad Ali continues to taunt Ken Norton during their heavyweight title bout 9/28/1976.

Denver Post Library photo archive Muhammad Ali drives a right to the head of Ken Norton in the second round of their heavyweight title bout Spet. 28, 1976. AP Photo Hyping Next Title Defense -- Muhammad Ali, the world heavyweight champion, left, strains to stare down a grimacing Leon Spinks, the Olympic heavyweight champion, during a news conference Thursday to promote their Feb. 15 title bout in Las Vegas. It was announced Thursday that Ali has signed a $12 million contract to defend his championship next September against Ken Norton. 1977. AP Photo Embracing The Champ -- Muhammad Ali embraces heavyweight champion Leon Spinks during a news conference in New Orleans where they signed to fight Sept. 15, in the Superdome. Ali was giving the champion a few pointers on dealing with the press. 1978. AP Photo A Blow To Ali -- Leon Spinks connects with a right hook to Muhammad Ali during the late rounds of their championship fight in Las Vegas, Nev. Wednesday night. The 24-year-old Spinks won the bout in a 15-round decision. 1978.

AP Photo Muhammad All and Leon Spinks exchange punches during their WBA heavyweight title bout at the Superdome in New Orleans Friday night Ali became the first man to win the heavyweight crown times by defeating Spinks with a 15-round unanimous decision. 1978 Program: "Good Morning America" 1978. Credit: ABC Cheryl Tiegs, Muhammad Ali, and David Hartman Denver post Library Archive GaryColeman with Muhammad Ali in 1979. Denver post Library Archive Muhammad Ali and Lyle Alzado promote their Exhibition fight. 1979. Denver Post library archive The Broncos Lyle Alzado, left, took on the former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali at Mile High Stadium in July 1979. 11,128 people showed up at Mile High. The match lasted eight rounds. Alzado and some friends promoted the fight. He had even taken out a second mortgage on his house to guarantee that the event would go off as scheduled. Ticket sales generated slightly more than $200,000, considerably less than Ali's appearance fee of $250,000. UPI Muhammad Ali tries to cover up under a barrage of blows by Larry Holmes.

Holmes retained his heavyweight crown Oct. 2, 1980, in Las Vagas. AP Photo Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali shakes hands with fans in Abidjan, Ivory Coast Tuesday, Aug. 19, 1997 outside the Ministry of Sports offices. Ali is on a goodwill visit to West Africa delivering food to 400 orphans in San Pedro, Ivory Coast along the Liberian border where tens of thousands of refugees who fled Liberia's civil war are living. The plight of the orphans came to Ali's attention when a nun caring for the children wrote a letter asking for his help. Bebeto Matthews, The Associated Press Muhammad Ali, known as 'The Greatest,' punches at a poster of the Wheaties 'The Breakfast of Champions' cereal during the unveiling of the 75th Anniversary cereal box in his honor in New York, Thursday, February 4, 1999. ESPN sports commentator Dick Shaap, right, who hosted the event, says he owes his career to Ali who changed the business of professional sports. Wheaties recognized Ali as the most 'recognized sports figure' of our time for the 75th anniversary celebration.

Denver Post Library photo archive MUHAMMAD ALI, 1981.

Question: What year in the 1970s was Muhammad Ali's last as heavyweight champ?
Answer: 1979