User:Gbyrne21

Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxer of all time and arguably the greatest athlete of all time. Ali was the first fighter to win the world heavyweight championship on three separate occasions.He then went on to successfully defend his title 19 times. Cassius Clay was born and raised in Louisville Kentucky On January 17th 1942. Muhammad Ali wanted to be known more than just a boxer, he wanted to be known as an activist and a philanthropist as well. Ali had a drastic impact on the movement we know of today as the Civil Rights Movement. Ali being the man of fame and stature that he had gained over his young career had made him one of the most respected men on the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement working alongside Malcom X and Reverend King Jr. to stand strong in the fight of integrating the south and pushing for freedom. Malcolm X stated that Ali “captured the imagination and support of the entire dark world.” Ali was so immersed in the movement that he was considered to be globally liked by the activists of the 60’s and 70’s. In 1981 Ali decided it was time for him to give up boxing and solely focus on his social activism work. In 1984 Muhammed Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Syndrome, due to the head trauma he received during his time as “The Greatest”. Ali was known for more than his work on civil rights, he was an advocate for religion and humanitarian causes. He fought back so well to the injustices in America just as he fought in the ring. He refused to be enlisted in the military to stand for his religion. That is what truly mattered was his religion and that is what he stood by til the day he died on June 3, 2016.