"I am American. I am the part you won't recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me. "

"The Greatest, Not the Smartest"

Muhammad Ali, born Cassisus Marcellus Clay, is one of the world's most renowned heavyweight boxers. Ali is also known for his political activism.

Ali's popularity as a boxer was due to his unique boxing style. He carried his hands at his sides rather than near his face for protection. His extraordinary reflexes gave him the opportunity to fully make use of his 83 inch reach, and take risky head shots on his opponent.

As a youngster, Ali struggled academically, but found boxing to be his way to success. During high school he won six Kentucky Gold Gloves and because of his unique talent, was allowed to graduate with very poor grades. Reminiscing his successes, Ali later commented, "I said I was the greatest, not the smartest."

Despite his academic disinterest, he went on to win numerous amateur titles and a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s he was considered the dominant heavyweight fighter of the world, and won the world title three times. His first professional fight was won on October 29, 1960. Between the years of 1960 and 1963, Ali (then Cassius Clay) had 15 knockouts, and a record of 19-0. Ali first became heavyweight champion of the world in 1964, when he upset Sonny Liston in Miami.

He changed his name to Muhammad Ali after meeting and developing a close bond with Malcolm X, a leader of the Nation of Islam. At the time, only a handful of journalists accepted the change.

In November 1966, Ali faced Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams. Williams had one of the highest knockout rankings of all time, and was one of the finest fighters to hold a title. According to fans, Ali's fight with Williams was his best performance. Ali was able to knock him out in the third round. He then faced Ernie Terrell in 1967, who refused to acknowledge Ali's name. During the fight, Ali taunted his opponent by hollering "What's my name?" after every hit.

In 1967, Ali refused to serve in the Vietnam War because, in his own words, "War is against the teaching of the Holy Koran." He was sentenced to prison for five years and stripped of his championship belt and license to box. The sentence was appealed and overturned by the Supreme Court four years later.

Ali fought George Frazier on March 6, 1971 at Madison Square Garden. It was known as the fight of the century; it featured two skilled an undefeated fighters. Frazier floored Ali with a hard left hook in the final round.

In 1973, Ali began studying the Qur'an, converted to Sunni Islam, and completely rejected the teachings of the Nation of Islam (the religious sect that inspired him to change his name).

Ali retired from his career in 1981 with a record of 56 knockout wins, and 5 losses. A year later he learned the price he would pay for his boxing career. He was diagnosed with pugilistic Parkinson's syndrome in 1982, which debilitated his motor functions.

He has been married four times. With his first wife, Sonji Roi, he had two children -- they divorced on January 10, 1966. Khalilah Ali was his second wife, whom he married in 1967; they had four children and divorced in 1977. He married Veronica Porche Ali on August 19, 1977; they had two children, and divorced in July, 1986. He married his current wife, Yolanda Williams on November 19, 1986 -- together they adopted a son.