ALI

            
             Muhammad Ali, formally known as Cassius Marcellus Clay, became one the .
             At the tender age of twelve, he and his friends went .
             to the Columbia Auditorium to visit the bazaar. When he and friends decided to .
             leave, he then realized his new bike was stolen. He was in a tearing rage, and he .
             went down to the gym basement, because he had heard there was a police officer .
             down there. Ali told the police what had happened, and was demanding a search. .
             The officer, Joe Martin, then asked him if he could fight, and Ali said no, so Martin .
             invited him to come to the gym and learn how to box. 1.
             Sadly the bike was never found. Cassius decided to have Joe Martin teach him .
             how to box. One night at dinner he said to his mom, "I want to be a boxer" His .
             mother approved. She thought it would be better than roaming the streets. Cassius .
             went to the gym every spare moment. He learned how to throw punches, how to .
             jump rope, and how to hit the heavy bag and speed bag. He could take a hit and it .
             wouldn't affect him, he would just throw one right back. After that fight he .
             told everybody that he would be the champion of the world. .
             Cassius was known as "The King", using the motto, "Float like a butterfly, .
             sting like a bee". He was a very dedicated person. He was always first to the gym, .
             and last to leave. At age 18, Cassius had already won six Kentucky Golden Glove .
             Awards, two National Golden Glove Awards, and in 1959-1960 he won the Amateur .
             Athletic Union (AAU) Titles. He fought in 108 amateur fights and won 100 of them. .
             Cassius was ready to turn pro. .
             While in the Rome Olympics Cassius had started reading Muhammad Speaks, .
             a magazine from Elijah Muhammad. Soon Cassius became a strong follower of .
             Elijah.
             One day Malcolm X, a strong Muslim leader, visited Cassius at Fifth Street .
             Gym. Cassius said he wanted to change his name to Muhammad Ali, which means .
             "someone who is worthy of praise." Ali's grandfather was a slave and that's where he .