The life and fight of Muhammad Ali Thrilling photos of ‘The People’s Champion’ View 29 photos By The Undefeated @TheUndefeated June 4, 2016 TwitterFacebookEmail View List Grid Boxer Cassius Clay(Muhammad Ali) paces the ring after the crowd boos his win in a 1963 bout with Doug Jones. Boxer Cassius Clay(Muhammad Ali) paces the ring after the crowd boos his win in a 1963 bout with Doug Jones. Muhammad Ali takes his daily three-mile run along a Pennsylvania country road shrouded in early morning fog near his Deer Lake training camp in 1978. Muhammad Ali takes his daily three-mile run along a Pennsylvania country road shrouded in early morning fog near his Deer Lake training camp in 1978. Boxer Muhammad Ali steps away from a punch thrown by boxer Joe Frazier during their heavyweight title fight at Madison Square Garden in 1971. Frazier became the undisputed heavyweight champ of the world by winning a unanimous 15-round decision. Boxer Muhammad Ali steps away from a punch thrown by boxer Joe Frazier during their heavyweight title fight at Madison Square Garden in 1971. Frazier became the undisputed heavyweight champ of the world by winning a unanimous 15-round decision. Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali waits in the tunnel prior to a match. Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali waits in the tunnel prior to a match. Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali holds a young girl while he visits a school in 1966. Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali holds a young girl while he visits a school in 1966. Spray flies from the head of challenger Joe Frazier as heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali connects with a right in the ninth round of their title fight in Manila, Philippines, October 1, 1975. Ali won the fight on a decision to retain the title. Spray flies from the head of challenger Joe Frazier as heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali connects with a right in the ninth round of their title fight in Manila, Philippines, October 1, 1975. Ali won the fight on a decision to retain the title. Eighty-five pound Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., is shown posing at twelve, prior to his amateur ring debut in 1954, a three minute, three round split decision over another novice named Ronnie O'Keefe, in Louisville, Kentucky. (AP Photo) Eighty-five pound Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., is shown posing at twelve, prior to his amateur ring debut in 1954, a three minute, three round split decision over another novice named Ronnie O'Keefe, in Louisville, Kentucky. (AP Photo) World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, left, faces up to Ken Norton, one of the two men ever to defeat all on Thursday, June 5, 1976 at New York?s Yankee Stadium after announcing their third meeting in a title bout. The two will meet on September 28 championship match at the stadium, first of such since Ingemar Johansson knocked out champion Floyd Patterson in 1959. (AP Photo/ Marty Lederhandler) World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, left, faces up to Ken Norton, one of the two men ever to defeat all on Thursday, June 5, 1976 at New York?s Yankee Stadium after announcing their third meeting in a title bout. The two will meet on September 28 championship match at the stadium, first of such since Ingemar Johansson knocked out champion Floyd Patterson in 1959. (AP Photo/ Marty Lederhandler) Boxer Ken Norton playfully chases World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali in a game of tag across the field at Yankee Stadium. Norton lost the title fight to Ali at the stadium on September 28, 1976. Boxer Ken Norton playfully chases World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali in a game of tag across the field at Yankee Stadium. Norton lost the title fight to Ali at the stadium on September 28, 1976. Sonny Liston, right, lowers his head and works in close during 6th round of heavyweight championship fight with Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) in Miami Beach, Fla. on Feb. 25, 1964. Liston suffered a cut left eye and a strained left shoulder before the fight was stopped at the end of the round. (AP Photo) Sonny Liston, right, lowers his head and works in close during 6th round of heavyweight championship fight with Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) in Miami Beach, Fla. on Feb. 25, 1964. Liston suffered a cut left eye and a strained left shoulder before the fight was stopped at the end of the round. (AP Photo) Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali stands over fallen challenger Sonny Liston, shouting and gesturing shortly after dropping Liston with a short hard right to the jaw on May 25, 1965, in Lewiston, Maine. The bout lasted only one minute into the first round. Ali is the only man ever to win the world heavyweight boxing championship three times. He also won a gold medal in the light-heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympic Games in Rome as a member of the U.S. Olympic boxing team. In 1964 he dropped the name Cassius Clay and adopted the Muslim name Muhammad Ali. (AP Photo/John Rooney) Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali stands over fallen challenger Sonny Liston, shouting and gesturing shortly after dropping Liston with a short hard right to the jaw on May 25, 1965, in Lewiston, Maine. The bout lasted only one minute into the first round. Ali is the only man ever to win the world heavyweight boxing championship three times. He also won a gold medal in the light-heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympic Games in Rome as a member of the U.S. Olympic boxing team. In 1964 he dropped the name Cassius Clay and adopted the Muslim name Muhammad Ali. (AP Photo/John Rooney) Boxer Muhammad Ali stands over boxer Sonny Liston after knocking him down during the first round of their match. Clay won the May 25, 1965 fight and retained his title as heavyweight champion. Boxer Muhammad Ali stands over boxer Sonny Liston after knocking him down during the first round of their match. Clay won the May 25, 1965 fight and retained his title as heavyweight champion. World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, in a training session at the Territorial Army Gymnasium at White City, London. Ali is in training for his fight against the British champion Henry Cooper at Arsenal's Highbury Stadium, London on May 21st. (Photo by R. McPhedran/Express/Getty Images) World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, in a training session at the Territorial Army Gymnasium at White City, London. Ali is in training for his fight against the British champion Henry Cooper at Arsenal's Highbury Stadium, London on May 21st. (Photo by R. McPhedran/Express/Getty Images) "I'm the champ!" screams Cassius Clay as his handlers hug him joyfully after he defeated Sonny Liston for the heavyweight boxing title. Clay was credited with a 7th round TKO when Liston was unable to answer the bell because of a shoulder injury suffered in the first round. "I'm the champ!" screams Cassius Clay as his handlers hug him joyfully after he defeated Sonny Liston for the heavyweight boxing title. Clay was credited with a 7th round TKO when Liston was unable to answer the bell because of a shoulder injury suffered in the first round. American Heavyweight boxer, Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), relaxing on his hotel bed in London. American Heavyweight boxer, Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), relaxing on his hotel bed in London. US boxing heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (L) (born Cassius Clay) 11 days before the heavy weight world championship in Kinshasa. US boxing heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (L) (born Cassius Clay) 11 days before the heavy weight world championship in Kinshasa. Cassius Clay smiles for the camera after he knocked out Archie Moore in the 4th round on November 15, 1962 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stanley Weston/Getty Images) Cassius Clay smiles for the camera after he knocked out Archie Moore in the 4th round on November 15, 1962 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stanley Weston/Getty Images) Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali (left) shows off a new pink Cadillac to his mother Odessa Clay (right). He bought the automobile for his parents following his first professional fight. Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali (left) shows off a new pink Cadillac to his mother Odessa Clay (right). He bought the automobile for his parents following his first professional fight. American heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali walks through the streets with members of the Black Panther Party, New York, New York, September 1970. Ali was sentenced to five years in prison and his championship title revoked after he was convicted of draft evasion upon his refusal to serve with the American army in Vietnam upon grounds of conscientious objection. The decision was overtuned in 1971 but Ali became a figurehead of resistance and a hero of the people. American heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali walks through the streets with members of the Black Panther Party, New York, New York, September 1970. Ali was sentenced to five years in prison and his championship title revoked after he was convicted of draft evasion upon his refusal to serve with the American army in Vietnam upon grounds of conscientious objection. The decision was overtuned in 1971 but Ali became a figurehead of resistance and a hero of the people. Ever the clown, heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali makes a face while clinching Earnie Shavers during their bout at Madison Square Garden September 29. Ali won the 15-round decision unanimously retaining his world heavyweight title. There were no knockdowns, although Ali was shaken several times by hard right hand punches of Shavers. Ever the clown, heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali makes a face while clinching Earnie Shavers during their bout at Madison Square Garden September 29. Ali won the 15-round decision unanimously retaining his world heavyweight title. There were no knockdowns, although Ali was shaken several times by hard right hand punches of Shavers. Muhammad Ali (R) lands a punch right on the button during the sixth round of his bout with Floyd Patterson at Madison Square Garden. Muhammad Ali (R) lands a punch right on the button during the sixth round of his bout with Floyd Patterson at Madison Square Garden. Muhammad Ali takes a drink as he trains at the 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach for his world heavyweight title bout with Joe Frazier (not pictured). Muhammad Ali takes a drink as he trains at the 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach for his world heavyweight title bout with Joe Frazier (not pictured). American boxer Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr) (in light-colored shorts) fights Uruguayan Alfredo Evangelista in a Heavyweight Championship bout at the Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland, USA, May 16, 1977. American boxer Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr) (in light-colored shorts) fights Uruguayan Alfredo Evangelista in a Heavyweight Championship bout at the Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland, USA, May 16, 1977. Cassius Clay gets ready to train at the Main Street Gym in October 1962 in Los Angeles,California.(Photo by: The Ring Magazine/Getty Images) Cassius Clay gets ready to train at the Main Street Gym in October 1962 in Los Angeles,California.(Photo by: The Ring Magazine/Getty Images) Cassius Clay, 20 year old heavyweight contender from Louisville, Kentucky poses for the camera on May 17, 1962 in Long Island, New York. (Photo by Stanley Weston/Getty Images) Cassius Clay, 20 year old heavyweight contender from Louisville, Kentucky poses for the camera on May 17, 1962 in Long Island, New York. (Photo by Stanley Weston/Getty Images) Muhammad Ali, former world heavyweight boxing champion, toys with the finely combed hair of television sports commentators Howard Cosell before the start of the Olympic boxing trials, Aug. 7, 1972, in West Point, NY. (AP Photo) Muhammad Ali, former world heavyweight boxing champion, toys with the finely combed hair of television sports commentators Howard Cosell before the start of the Olympic boxing trials, Aug. 7, 1972, in West Point, NY. (AP Photo) Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali leans on the ropes after he successfully defended his title against Earnie Shavers at New York's Madison Square Garden, Sept. 29, 1977. Ali was awarded an unanimous decision in the fifteen-round fight with Shavers. At right is Ali's aide Drew "Bundini" Brown. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler) Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali leans on the ropes after he successfully defended his title against Earnie Shavers at New York's Madison Square Garden, Sept. 29, 1977. Ali was awarded an unanimous decision in the fifteen-round fight with Shavers. At right is Ali's aide Drew "Bundini" Brown. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler) Boxing legend Muhammad Ali during a portrait session for a cover shoot originally photographed for USA TODAY. Mandatory Credit: Anne Ryan-USA TODAY Sports Boxing legend Muhammad Ali during a portrait session for a cover shoot originally photographed for USA TODAY. Mandatory Credit: Anne Ryan-USA TODAY Sports Filed Under: Photo Act TwitterFacebookEmail Latest Stories Sports Brittney Griner says she thought about killing herself during first few weeks in Russian jail By The Associated Press Sports Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris and his brother are bringing affordable housing to Los Angeles The brothers are aiming to help the city’s housing shortage, set example of Black entrepreneurship By Marc J. Spears Sports WNBA’s 2024 draft class brings momentum to the league on and off the court Stars such as Angel Reese, Rickea Jackson, Cameron Brink, Caitlin Clark seamlessly merge fashion, beauty and culture By Cayla Sweazie