He called himself "The Greatest", and decades later few would argue. Muhammad Ali was a three-time world heavyweight champion, an Olympic gold medallist and one of the most recognisable people on the planet, a man whose influence reached far beyond the ring.
Ali died in June 2016, but his fights, his words and his courage still inspire fans around the world. Here is his story, from Louisville to Kinshasa and Manila. Browse the Muhammad Ali collection as you read.
Muhammad Ali Fact File
| Full name | Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.) |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 17 January 1942 |
| Place of birth | Louisville, Kentucky, USA |
| Died | 3 June 2016, Scottsdale, Arizona (aged 74) |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight class | Heavyweight |
| Nationality | American |
| Status | Retired 1981 |
| Nickname | The Greatest, The People's Champion, The Louisville Lip |
Career History
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Rome Olympics (light-heavyweight) | Gold medal |
| 25 Feb 1964 | Sonny Liston | Won (retirement, after 6) – world heavyweight champion |
| 8 Mar 1971 | Joe Frazier | Lost (decision) – Fight of the Century |
| 30 Oct 1974 | George Foreman | Won (KO) – Rumble in the Jungle |
| 1 Oct 1975 | Joe Frazier | Won (retirement) – Thrilla in Manila |
| 15 Sep 1978 | Leon Spinks | Won (decision) – third heavyweight title |
| 11 Dec 1981 | Trevor Berbick | Lost (decision) – final fight |
A selection of defining bouts. His professional record was 56 wins and 5 defeats, with 37 wins by knockout.
Early Years: The Louisville Lip
Cassius Clay grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and took up boxing as a boy. By 1960 he was good enough to win light-heavyweight gold at the Rome Olympics, and he turned professional soon after. Quick-handed, quick-footed and even quicker with a quip, he quickly became the most talked-about young fighter in the world.
Honour the early years with our Muhammad Ali Badge Men's Hoodie.
The Breakthrough: Shaking Up the World
On 25 February 1964 he faced the feared Sonny Liston in Miami Beach as a big underdog. Liston failed to come out for the seventh round and the 22-year-old was heavyweight champion of the world. Soon afterwards he changed his name to Muhammad Ali. In 1967 he refused induction into the US Army and was stripped of his title, losing more than three years of his prime. In 1971 the US Supreme Court overturned his conviction.
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The Peak: Kinshasa and Manila
Ali lost the "Fight of the Century" to Joe Frazier in March 1971, but his greatest nights were still to come. On 30 October 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire, he soaked up George Foreman's power before knocking him out to regain the title in the "Rumble in the Jungle". A year later he beat Frazier in the brutal "Thrilla in Manila".
Float like a butterfly in our Muhammad Ali Punch Badge Men's T-Shirt.
Later Career: Three-Time Champion
Ali lost his title to Leon Spinks in February 1978, then won the rematch that September to become the first man to win the heavyweight title three times. He fought on until December 1981, when he lost to Trevor Berbick in his final bout. In 1996 he lit the Olympic cauldron in Atlanta, one of the most moving moments in Olympic history.
Honours
Boxing
- Olympic gold, light-heavyweight: Rome 1960
- World heavyweight champion: three times (1964, 1974, 1978)
- Professional record: 56–5 (37 KOs)
Awards
- BBC Sports Personality of the Century (1999)
- Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Century (1999)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005)
Away From the Ring
After retiring, Ali devoted much of his life to humanitarian work. In 2005 he and his wife Lonnie founded the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, which promotes respect, social justice and the values he championed.
FAQs
How old was Muhammad Ali when he died?
Muhammad Ali died on 3 June 2016 at the age of 74.
Where was Muhammad Ali born?
He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.
How tall was Muhammad Ali?
Ali stood 6 ft 3 in, or about 1.91 metres.
What was Muhammad Ali's record?
His professional record was 56 wins and 5 losses, with 37 wins by knockout.
How many times was Muhammad Ali heavyweight champion?
Three times. He won the title in 1964, regained it in 1974 and won it for a third time in 1978.
What was the Rumble in the Jungle?
The Rumble in the Jungle was Ali's fight with George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire, on 30 October 1974, where he knocked Foreman out to regain the world heavyweight title.
Shop the Muhammad Ali Collection
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See the full Muhammad Ali collection, explore our boxing collection, or design your own custom name hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Pelé: The King of Football and His Three World Cups and George Best: The Fifth Beatle and Football's First Superstar.
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