MUHAMMAD ALI, Life and Career

17 January 1942

Born

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay at Louisville, Kentucky on January 17 1942, the elder son of Cassius Marcellus Clay senior, a sign painter. He starts boxing at 12.

1950s

Teen success

By 18 he has won six Kentucky and two National Golden Gloves championships.

1960

Clay bursts onto the scene

He is selected for the 1960 Rome Olympics as a light-heavyweight, where he takes home a gold medal (which, according to the legend, he symbolically throws away on his return after being excluded from a hamburger joint). Later that year he also wins his first professional fight on points.

1964

First marriage to Sonji Roi

The marriage is dissolved two years later in 1966.

25 February 1965

Clay v Liston: World Championship fight

Clay fights the supposedly unbeatable Liston for the World Championship. His failure seems inevitable, but he demoralises Liston and the champion fails to appear after the sixth round.

26 February 1965

Renounces his "slave name"

The next day Clay declares that he has become a Black Muslim and is renouncing his “slave name”. He will now be known as Muhammad Ali.

1966

Refuses Army call-up

Uses his Black Muslim religion to claim the status of a conscientious objector and refuses call-up into the American army.

April 1967

Loses licence to box

Refuses to take the symbolic step forward when summoned to Houston for induction into the army. One hour later the New York State Athletic Commission strips him of his licence to box. Other boards soon follow suit.

June 1967

Prison sentence

A Houston jury finds Ali guilty of draft evasion and sentences him to five years in prison and a fine of $10,000. The court also takes his passport, making it impossible for him to fight abroad. (The appeals process later ensures that he only serves ten days the following year).

August 1967

Second marriage to Belinda Boyd

The couple have three daughters and a son before the marriage is dissolved in 1976.

1970

Return to the ring

With attitudes to the Vietnam war changing, Ali is permitted to enter some bouts. Although appearing slow and vulnerable compared to his previous form, his bravery and ability to endure punches from the hardest hitters in the world ensure some of the most brutal and exciting fights ever seen.

1971

Draft evasion case dropped

The US Supreme Court overturn his conviction.

8 March 1971

Fight of the Century

The great and the good of Hollywood come out to watch Ali take on Joe Frazier in a savage 15-round contest. Ali loses via unanimous decision after being hit flush on the jaw by a thundering left hook in the 15th round.

30 October 1974

"Rumble in the Jungle"

Ali battles against George Foreman in Zaire - one of the most anticipated Championship fights ever. Foreman is the favourite but Ali wins the bout in the eighth round. He is world champion again and successfully defends the title 10 times in the next three years.

1 October 1975

"Thriller in Manila”

Ali meets Joe Frazier in a fight of unrelenting aggression - considered one of the greatest fights of the 20th century. Ali wins by technical knockout, but says afterwards the contest had been the closest thing to death that he knew of.

1977

Rapid decline

After Manila, Ali’s decline in the ring is rapid. He is badly hurt in a bout with Ernie Shavers and continues self-destructively into the disastrous final phase of his career.

1977

Third marriage to Veronica Porche

The couple have four daughters before the marriage is dissolved in 1986.

1979

Retirement (round 1)

Ali announces his retirement, which turns out to be short-lived

1980

Comeback

Ali insists on making a comeback to fight the new world champion, Larry Holmes. He takes a terrible beating before the fight is stopped in the 11th round.

1981

Actual retirement

Ali finally accepts his career in the ring is over and retires.

1984

Parkinson's diagnosis

Ali is diagnosed with post-traumatic Parkinsonism, caused by injuries sustained from boxing.

1986

Fourth marriage to Yolanda Williams

The couple go on to adopt a son.

1996

Olympic torch lighting

Millions watch Ali struggling to control his violently shaking left arm in order to light the Olympic torch at Atlanta. At the end of the Games Ali is presented with a new gold medal to replace the one he had thrown away in 1960, inspiring waves of affection throughout the world.

2005

Presidential Medal of Freedom

George W Bush presents Ali with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2012

London Olympics flag bearer

Ali makes an appearance at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. Fans are delighted to see him, but shocked at his frail appearance.

2016

Boxing legend dies

The former world heavyweight boxing champion dies at the age of 74. Ali, who had suffered from Parkinson's Disease since 1984, was taken into hospital on June 2 for a respiratory condition and had been being kept in "as a precaution". However, news of his death was released by his family's spokesman early on June 4.

Source: telegraph.co.uk