Muhammad Ali, who died Friday at the age of 74, assumed many roles in becoming an icon recognized in every corner of the world: Olympic champion, boxing legend, spoken word poet, anti-war activist, humanitarian. Here’s a timeline of the man known simply as The Greatest:
Jan. 17, 1942: Born Cassius Marcellus Clay in Louisville, Ky.
1954: Decides to take up boxing after his bike is stolen.
1960: Wins Olympic gold medal in light heavyweight division by defeating three-time European champion Zbigniew Pietrzykowski in Rome.
Oct. 29, 1960: Wins professional debut by defeating Tunney Hunsaker in six-round decision at Freedom Hall in Lousiville.
Atop the medal podium at the Rome OlympicsGetty ImagesMarch 13, 1963: Improves to 18-0 with 10-round decision over Doug Jones at Madison Square Garden. Named Fight of the Year by Ring Magazine, the first of six such fights in which he will participate.
Feb. 25, 1964: Wins heavyweight championship when Sonny Liston fails to answer bell for the seventh round. The following day, announces he has joined the Nation of Islam and has changed his name to Cassius X.
March 6, 1964: Changes his name to Muhammad Ali.
May 25, 1965: Makes first defense of heavyweight crown by knocking out Liston in the first round in Lewiston, Maine.
1967: Refuses induction into the military on grounds that he is a conscientious objector. Arrested, stripped of title, has boxing licenses and passport revoked. Does not fight again for 3½ years.
1967-70: Speaks on college campuses against the Vietnam war.
Reuters1970: Granted a boxing license in Georgia and returns to the ring with a victory over Jerry Quarry on Oct. 26. The New York Supreme Court rules his boxing license was unjustly suspended and he’s permitted to box in New York. Defeats Oscar Bonavena at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 7.
March 8, 1971: “The Fight of the Century” at Madison Square Garden between Ali and Joe Frazier, who had won the vacant heavyweight crown in Ali’s absence. Both Ali (31-0) and Frazier (26-0) are undefeated and the fight lives up to its billing with spectacular two-way action. Ali is dropped by a thunderous left hook in the 15th round and loses a unanimous decision. Among the celebrities in attendance is Frank Sinatra, who photographs the fight for Life magazine.
March 31, 1973: Suffers a broken jaw during a loss to Ken Norton. Wins rematch five months later.
Jan. 28, 1974: Defeats Frazier in a 12-round decision at Madison Square Garden. The victory puts him in position to challenge George Foreman, who had taken the heavyweight title from Frazier.
Oct. 30, 1974: “The Rumble in the Jungle” between Ali and Foreman (40-0) in Kinshasa, Zaire. Given little chance, Ali employs his “rope-a-dope” strategy to wear down Foreman. By the eighth round, Foreman has punched himself out. Ali pounces on his tired foe and knocks him out to regain the heavyweight crown.
1975: Named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year” for 1974.
October 1, 1975: “The Thrilla in Manila” is the third meeting between Ali and Frazier and might be the most talked-about fight in history. Both fighters absorb severe punishment in the Manila heat. Ali wins when Frazier’s corner stops the fight after the 14th round. Afterwards, Ali says: “This must be what death feels like.”
Against Joe Frazier in the “Thrilla in Manila”APFeb. 15, 1978: Loses title to Leon Spinks on a split-decision. Decisions Spinks in the rematch seven months later to become the first three-time heavyweight champ.
June 27, 1979: Announces retirement.
Oct. 2, 1980: Comes out of retirement and loses to WBC heavyweight champ Larry Holmes when his corner stops the fight before the 11th round.
Dec. 11, 1981: Retires for good after losing a decision to Trevor Berbick. His final record is 56-5 (37 KOs).
Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bush.AP1990: Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY.
1996: Lights the torch at the Atlanta Olympics.
2001: Biopic “Ali” is released, starring Will Smith.
Nov. 9, 2005: Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Nov. 19, 2005: Muhammad Ali Center opens in Louisville. It is devoted to his boxing career as well as his humanitarian work, for which he is given the Lifetime Achievement Award by Amnesty International and the citation of United Nations Messenger of Peace. Also awarded the 2005 Otto Hahn Peace Medal in Germany for his involvement in the U.S. civil rights movement and the United Nations.
