Muhamad Ali
Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) was an American former heavyweight champion boxer and one of the greatest sporting figures of the 20th century.first fighter to capture the heavyweight title three times, Ali won 56 times in his 21-year professional career. Citing his religious beliefs, he refused military induction and was stripped of his heavyweight championship and banned from boxing. 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,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.”
Ali quotes
- He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.
- I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'
- I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want.
Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?" Ali asked.