Was it shear accident that Muhammad Ali found himself in a boxing ring - or was it fate? Who would've thought that a stolen bike would be the beginning of such an illustrious boxing career? Muhammad Ali born Cassius Marcellus Clay, bike was stolen in 1954. The 12-year-old Cassius found a cop in a gym, Joe Martin, and boiling with youthful rage, told Martin he was going to "whup" whoever stole his bike. Martin admonished, "You better learn to box first." Within weeks, 89-pound Cassius had won his first bout. Even in his youth, he had dreams of being heavyweight champion (The Man).
Ali would continue to dominate the ring as a teen, he did not work and his only activity was boxing. Young Cassius dedicated himself to boxing with a fervor unmatched by other young boxers Cassius won the Olympic Gold Medal in Rome just after his 18th birthday. Although Cassius returned home to a parade, Louisville was still 1960 part of the segregate south. Even with a medal around his neck, Cassius was refused service at a local restaurant. This would be the beginning fire that fueled Ali's determination to stop at nothing, in and out of the ring (The Man). .
Ali's rise to the pinnacle of the sport of boxing was mercurial and truly inspirational. He was an immovable force with his gloves, dominated almost his opponents that comes on his way, and hugged the boxing limelight during his heydays. Ali defeated Sonny Liston February 25, 1964 to capture his first title. He won the Heavyweight Title the 2nd time when he stopped George Forman on October 30, 1974 and his 3rd Heavyweight Title when he beat Joe Frazier on September 30, 1975. Ali is a three-time World Heavyweight Champion, who once carried the name Cassius Clay when not yet converted to Muslim. He is considered to be one of the best boxers ever in the world. Many boxing fans and pundits all over the world even consider him as the greatest boxer that had ever lived.
