LifeTimeline

Muhammad Ali

    • JAN 17

      Cassius Marcellus Clay VI

    1942
    • Early disappointment: Race is an issue

    1947
    • After bike is stolen, he chooses boxing

    • Boyhood

    1954
    • SEP

      Wins a gold medal in the Rome Olympics

    1960
    • Sings "Stand By Me"

    1963
    • Ali sings his autobiographical song, "The Black Superman"

    • Ali Breaks with Malcom X

    • FEB 25

      Defeats Sonny Liston to become heavyweight champion for the first time

    • MAR 06

      Changes name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali

    1964
    • Embraces Islam

    1965
    • Refuses to fight in Vietnam

    • JUN

      Stripped of his boxing titles

    1967
    • Ali's combative relationship with Howard Cosell heats up

    1968
    • "No Viet Cong called me Nigger"

    1970
    • Ali says it's possible that an African-American might one day be president

    • MAR 08

      Ali-Frazier -- His first loss

    1971
    • JAN 28

      Ali-Frazier II -- Ali Wins

    • OCT 01

      Ali-Frazier 3 -- The Thrilla in Manilla

    • OCT 30

      Ali defeats George Foreman to regain the title

    1974
    • Diagnosed with Parkinson's Syndrome

    1984
    • Marries Lonnie

    1986
    • Meets Nelson Mandala

    1993
    • Lights torch at the Olympics

    1996
    • JUN 03

      Parkinson's Disease--the final round

    2016