Muhammad Ali

American boxer, sports legend and activist, 20th-21st century

4 quotes in the MindQuotes library.

About

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky, Muhammad Ali is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. Olympic champion in 1960, he won the world heavyweight title in 1964. Converting to Islam, he changed his name and refused to serve in Vietnam, which led to him being stripped of his titles. He regained them in 1974 during the 'Rumble in the Jungle'. A three-time world champion, he fought for civil rights and peace. Afflicted with Parkinson's disease, he lit the Olympic flame in 1996 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

Key milestones

1960Wins the gold medal in boxing (light heavyweight) at the Rome Olympics.
1964Defeats Sonny Liston to become world heavyweight champion; announces his conversion to Islam and changes his name.
1967Refuses induction into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War; he is stripped of his titles and banned from boxing.

Themes

BoxingSocial justiceReligionCourageLegacy

Sources: si.edu · muhammadali.historyit.com

“Pleasure is not happiness. It has no more importance than a shadow following a man.”

— Muhammad AliTheme · Happiness

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“Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.”

— Muhammad AliTheme · Motivation

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“Age is whatever you think it is. You are as old as you think you are.”

— Muhammad AliTheme · Inspiration

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“I think that the power is the principle. The power of the mind is the principle. And that power can be used by anyone who has self-confidence and who believes in themselves.”

— Muhammad AliTheme · Sport

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