CONTENTS THE GREATEST 4 A BORN BOXER 6 RISING STAR 8 HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP 10 SUCCESS AND SETBACKS 12 BACK TO BOXING 16 TWO-TIME CHAMPION 18 SIGNS OF DECLINE 20 RETIREMENT 22 CHARITABLE CHAMP 24 FOREVER GREAT 26 TIMELINE 28 GLOSSARY 30 ONLINE RESOURCES 31 INDEX 32
CHAPTER 1 THE GREATEST Muhammad Ali was a boxer and activist He is known as one of the greatest boxers and athletes of all time Ali was also an admired public figure Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr He began boxing at a young age Ali soon became known for his unique fighting style He was also known for his quick wit and charm Ali won his first heavyweight championship in 1964 He went undefeated for years earning the nickname The Greatest At the height of his career Ali was banned from professional boxing for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War But Ali did not let this setback stop him He remained outspoken even when his beliefs were unpopular When Ali returned to boxing he claimed the heavyweight title twice more After retiring from boxing Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease But Ali continued to make a difference He raised millions of dollars for Parkinson’s research and other causes Ali died in 2016 But he would forever be remembered as The Greatest 4
Ali once said he wanted to be remembered as a man who treated everyone right
