Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.; January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer, activist, entertainer and philanthropist. Nicknamed The Greatest, he is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated figures of the 20th century and as one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.; January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer, activist, entertainer and philanthropist. Nicknamed The Greatest, he is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated figures of the 20th century and as one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Ali was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He began training as an amateur boxer at age 12. At 18, he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics and turned professional later that year. He became a Muslim after 1961. He won the world heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston in a major upset on February 25, 1964, at age 22. On March 6, 1964, he announced that he no longer would be known as Cassius Clay but as Muhammad Ali. In 1966, Ali refused to be drafted into the military, citing his religious beliefs and ethical opposition to the Vietnam War. He was found guilty of draft evasion so he faced 5 years in prison and was stripped of his boxing titles. He stayed out of prison as he appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, which overturned his conviction in 1971, but he had not fought for nearly four years and lost a period of peak performance as an athlete. Ali's actions as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War made him an icon for the larger counterculture generation, and he was a very high-profile figure of racial pride for African Americans during the civil rights movement and throughout his career. As a Muslim, Ali was initially affiliated with Elijah Muhammad's Nation of Islam (NOI). He later disavowed the NOI, adhering to Sunni Islam, and supporting racial integration like his former mentor Malcolm X.
Ali was a leading heavyweight boxer of the 20th century, and he remains the only three-time lineal champion of that division. His joint records of beating 21 boxers for the world heavyweight title and winning 14 unified title bouts stood for 35 years. He is the only fighter to have been ranked as the world's best heavyweight by BoxRec twelve times. He has been ranked among BoxRec's ten best heavyweights seventeen times, the third most in history. He won 8 fights that were rated by BoxRec as 5-Star, the third most in the history of the heavyweight division. Ali is the only boxer to be named The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year six times. He has been ranked the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, and as the greatest athlete of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated, the Sports Personality of the Century by the BBC, and the third greatest athlete of the 20th century by ESPN SportsCentury. He was involved in several historic boxing matches and feuds, most notably his fights with Joe Frazier, such as the Fight of the Century and the Thrilla in Manila, and his fight with George Foreman, known as The Rumble in the Jungle, which has been called "arguably the greatest sporting event of the 20th century" and was watched by a record estimated television audience of 1 billion viewers worldwide, becoming the world's most-watched live television broadcast at the time. Ali thrived in the spotlight at a time when many fighters let their managers do the talking, and he was often provocative and outlandish. He was known for trash-talking, and often free-styled with rhyme schemes and spoken word poetry, anticipating elements of hip hop.
External links
Filmography (Movies)
Beatles '64
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:24/11/2024
WWE Hall of Fame 2024
Character:Muhammad Ali
Release Date:05/04/2024
Franz Klammer - The Ski "Kaiser" Will Be 70
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:03/12/2023
70 Jahre Annemarie Moser-Pröll – Ein Leben als Wintermärchen
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:29/10/2023
Cassius X: Becoming Ali
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:13/10/2023
Untold: Jake Paul the Problem Child
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:01/08/2023
Tribute to Chuck Wepner: The Legacy and Retirement of the Real Rocky Balboa
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:21/02/2023
Stand
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:03/02/2023
My Father Muhammad Ali
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:13/01/2023
Say Hey, Willie Mays!
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:27/10/2022
Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:23/09/2022
McEnroe
Character:Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Release Date:15/07/2022
The King of Miami Beach
Character:
Release Date:03/05/2022
Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:08/09/2021
Parkinson at 50
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:28/08/2021
Untold: Deal with the Devil
Character:Self - Professional Boxer (archive footage)
Release Date:17/08/2021
City of Ali
Character:
Release Date:04/06/2021
Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:23/04/2021
Mister Candid Camera
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:20/03/2021
Pelé
Character:Self (archive Footage)
Release Date:23/02/2021
Ron Lyle
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:01/01/2021
Earnie Shavers
Character:
Release Date:01/01/2021
Da 5 Bloods
Character:Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Release Date:12/06/2020
Ali's Comeback: The Untold Story
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:16/01/2020
Pariah: The Lives and Deaths of Sonny Liston
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:15/11/2019
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:21/06/2019
Africa Rising
Character:Self - Boxer (archive footage)
Release Date:03/06/2019
Thrilla in Manila
Character:Self
Release Date:01/06/2019
In Search of Greatness
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:02/11/2018
The Champ and the King
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:11/10/2018
Black Is Beltza
Character:Self (voice) (archive footage)
Release Date:05/10/2018
Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:02/08/2018
United We Stand: The Ali Summit
Character:archival footage
Release Date:04/06/2018
Andre the Giant
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:10/04/2018
American Made
Character:Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Release Date:18/08/2017
Muhammad Ali - Rumble in the Jungle
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:04/06/2016
O.J.: Made in America
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:20/05/2016
Sticky: A (Self) Love Story
Character:Self
Release Date:14/02/2016
Les vendredis d'Apostrophes
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:06/11/2015
Best of Enemies
Character:Self (archival)
Release Date:31/07/2015
Robbed
Character:Self
Release Date:03/12/2014
I Am Ali
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:10/10/2014
Muhammad Ali: The Greatest
Character:Self (Archival Footage)
Release Date:01/01/2014
Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight
Character:Himself (archive footage)
Release Date:04/10/2013
Legends of Mid-South Wrestling
Character:Himself
Release Date:10/09/2013
The Trials of Muhammad Ali
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:23/08/2013
Ali: The Mission
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:16/01/2013
WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:23/07/2012
Norman Mailer: The American
Character:Self
Release Date:18/05/2012
The Real Rocky
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:25/10/2011
Muhammad and Larry
Character:Himself
Release Date:27/10/2009
Muhammad Ali: Fighting Spirit
Character:himself
Release Date:10/10/2009
Rumble in the Jungle
Character:Self
Release Date:07/09/2009
Soul Power
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:10/06/2009
Facing Ali
Character:Self
Release Date:29/05/2009
When Ali Met Cathal
Character:Muhammad Ali
Release Date:05/01/2009
Thrilla in Manila
Character:Himself (archive footage)
Release Date:11/11/2008
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:18/07/2008
Black Power Salute
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:09/07/2008
Muhammad Ali: Made in Miami
Character:Himself
Release Date:01/06/2008
Tyson
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:16/05/2008
James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:05/04/2008
Ali's Dozen
Character:Self
Release Date:09/12/2006
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
Character:Muhammad Ali
Release Date:17/10/2006
Darts Tarts – Welcome to my World
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:05/10/2006
Ali Rap
Character:Himself
Release Date:06/08/2006
Legends Never Die
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:01/06/2006
Out From Ali's Shadow: The Larry Holmes Story
Character:Self (Archival Footage)
Release Date:01/01/2006
Pelé Forever
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:25/06/2004
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:01/01/2004
Jack Paar: Smart Television
Character:Self
Release Date:29/11/2003
The Last Round: Chuvalo vs. Ali
Character:Himself
Release Date:01/04/2003
The Documented Life and Times of Muhammad Ali - The Greatest
Character:
Release Date:17/05/2002
Monday Night Mayhem
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:14/01/2002
Muhammad Ali - Through The Eyes Of The World
Character:Himself
Release Date:19/11/2001
Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration
Character:Self
Release Date:13/11/2001
When Boxing Ruled The World
Character:Self
Release Date:19/04/2001
Muhammad Ali, the Greatest
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:01/01/2001
Ali-Frazier I: One Nation... Divisible
Character:Self
Release Date:17/08/2000
Champions Forever - World Heavyweight Champs!
Character:Himself
Release Date:17/05/2000
Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme
Character:Himself
Release Date:14/04/2000
Muhammad Ali - The Greatest Collection
Character:
Release Date:15/06/1999
Sugar Ray Robinson: The Bright Lights and Dark Shadows of a Champion
Character:Himself
Release Date:08/12/1998
B.B. King: Live In Africa '74
Character:Self
Release Date:13/05/1998
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
Character:Self - Roastee (archive footage)
Release Date:01/01/1998
When We Were Kings
Character:Self
Release Date:25/10/1996
Muhammad Ali The Whole Story
Character:Self
Release Date:03/09/1996
Atlanta 1996: Games of the XXVI Olympiad - Opening Ceremony
Character:Self
Release Date:19/07/1996
The Journey of the African-American Athlete
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:12/02/1996
Boxing's Greatest Champions
Character:Self
Release Date:27/03/1995
Kings of The Ring - History of Heavyweight Boxing 1919-1990
Character:Himself (Archival Footage)
Release Date:01/01/1995
Kings of the Ring: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing
Character:Himself
Release Date:01/01/1995
WCW Halloween Havoc 1994
Character:Himself (Ringside)
Release Date:23/10/1994
Naked Sport: Welcome to the Sewer
Character:Self
Release Date:01/05/1993
Muhammad Ali: The Greatest
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1991
Night of 100 Stars III
Character:Self
Release Date:21/05/1990
The Best of ABC's Wide World of Sports: The 60's
Character:Self
Release Date:29/01/1990
Champions Forever
Character:Self
Release Date:01/11/1989
Mike Tyson vs Larry Holmes
Character:Self
Release Date:22/01/1988
Mike Tyson vs Trevor Berbick
Character:Self
Release Date:22/11/1986
Doin' Time
Character:Himself
Release Date:19/05/1985
WrestleMania
Character:Muhammad Ali (Enforcer)
Release Date:31/03/1985
James Bond: The First 21 Years
Character:Self
Release Date:27/05/1983
Muhammad Ali vs. Trevor Berbick
Character:Self
Release Date:11/12/1981
Body and Soul
Character:Himself
Release Date:09/10/1981
Diana
Character:Self
Release Date:02/03/1981
Larry Holmes vs. Muhammad Ali
Character:Self
Release Date:02/10/1980
Kings of The Square Ring
Character:
Release Date:16/05/1980
Muhammad and Larry
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1980
Freedom Road
Character:Gideon Jackson
Release Date:29/10/1979
Leon Spinks vs Muhammad Ali II
Character:
Release Date:15/09/1978
The Greatest
Character:Cassius Clay / Muhammad Ali
Release Date:17/05/1977
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III
Character:Self
Release Date:01/10/1975
Funny Girl to Funny Lady
Character:Self
Release Date:09/03/1975
The Rumble in the Jungle: George Foreman vs. Muhammad Ali
Character:Self
Release Date:30/10/1974
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier II
Character:Self
Release Date:28/01/1974
The Fighters
Character:Self
Release Date:04/01/1974
Black Soul
Character:Self
Release Date:01/01/1974
The Fight
Character:Himself
Release Date:01/01/1974
Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson II
Character:Self
Release Date:20/09/1972
Money Talks
Character:Self
Release Date:30/08/1972
Wake Up and Apologise
Character:Self
Release Date:17/07/1972
Malcolm X
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:24/05/1972
Black Rodeo
Character:Self
Release Date:01/05/1972
Fight of the Century
Character:Self
Release Date:08/03/1971
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier I
Character:Self
Release Date:08/03/1971
a.k.a. Cassius Clay
Character:Self
Release Date:03/11/1970
The Super Fight
Character:Himself
Release Date:20/01/1970
Muhammad Ali, the Greatest
Character:Self
Release Date:21/11/1969
Something's Happening
Character:
Release Date:19/12/1967
Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson I
Character:Self
Release Date:22/11/1965
Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston II
Character:Self
Release Date:25/05/1965
Cassius le grand
Character:
Release Date:01/12/1964
Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston I
Character:Self
Release Date:25/02/1964
Cassius Clay vs. Doug Jones
Character:Self
Release Date:13/03/1963
Requiem for a Heavyweight
Character:Himself (as Cassius Clay)
Release Date:16/10/1962
Cassius Clay vs. Alonzo Johnson
Character:Self
Release Date:22/07/1961
Television Appearances
Bill Russell: Legend
Character:Self (archive footage)
The Century of Icons
Character:Self (archive footage)
Muhammad Ali
Character:Self (archive footage)
1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything
Character:Self (archive footage)
A Life in Ten Pictures
Character:Self (archive footage)
70 Years of Youth Revolt
Character:Self (archive footage)
What's My Name | Muhammad Ali
Character:Self (archive footage)
Shut Up and Dribble
Character:Self (archive footage)
Explained
Character:Self (archive footage)
O.J.: Made in America
Character:Self (archive footage)
The Seventies
Character:Self (archive footage)
Ali's 65
Character:
Die Muhammad Ali Story
Character:Muhammad Ali
Touched by an Angel
Character:Self
Wogan
Character:Self
Mid-South Wrestling
Character:Muhammad Ali (Fan - Archive Footage)
The Captain and Tennille
Character:Self - Guest
Apostrophes
Character:Self
The Dick Cavett Show
Character:Self - Guest
Der Sport-Spiegel
Character:Self
The Merv Griffin Show
Character:Self
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Character:Self
The Mike Douglas Show
Character:Self
What's My Line?
Character:Self - Mystery Guest
Bambi
Character:Self (archive footage)
Images
