Muhammad Ali - Cassius Clay

"Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, Your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see."

Muhammad Ali is a retired American boxer, as well as a three-time world heavy weight champion and a winner of an Olympic gold medal. Muhammad Ali was born on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, with the name of Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., named after his father. Muhammad Ali changed his name after he joined the Nation of Islam. The Nation of Islam is a social/political organization in the United States. The goal of The Nation of Islam is to resurrect the spiritual, mental, social, and economic condition of Black men and women all over the world.

Muhammad Ali was 'discovered' when he was only 12. The 12 year old Cassius was angry because his bike had been stolen. The Louisville police officer Joe E. Martin directed Cassius toward a gym to let some of his anger out.

Muhammad Ali had a very different style of fighting for a heavyweight boxer. When most boxers would cover hold their hands high to defend themselves, Ali would rely on his speed to avoid being punched. This style of fighting won Muhammad Ali 6 Kentucky Golden Gloves, 2 National Golden Gloves, and Amateur Athletic Union National Title, and the Light Heavyweight gold medal in the 1960 Olympics in Rome.

I think that it was Muhammad Ali's unique fighting style that was able to help him become the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. It is amazing to think that if the 12-year old Cassius Clay's bike hadn't been stolen, Muhammad Ali may never have even been a boxer.