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Muhammad Ali

For other people with this or similar names, see Muhammad Ali (disambiguation)

Muhammad Ali-Haj (born January 17, 1942 as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.) is an American boxer. He was one of the world's greatest heavyweight boxers, as well as one of the world's most famous individuals, renowned the world over for his boxing and political activism. He is also considered by many to be one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century.

Beginnings

Clay, named after his father and Kentucky abolitionist Cassius M. Clay, was born in Louisville, Kentucky. At age 12, he had his bicycle stolen, and reported the fact to a local policeman (and boxing trainer), Joe Martin. Martin suggested that Clay learn to fight; under his guidance, Clay rapidly advanced through the youth ranks. A low achiever academically, Clay won six Kentucky Gold Gloves while at high school and was allowed to graduate despite his poor grades. Presciently, his principal announced during a staff meeting about the issue that Clay would someday be "this school's claim to fame." Clay later joked about his lackluster academic record saying, "I said I was the Greatest, not the smartest."

At the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, he won a gold medal as a light heavyweight boxer. He then turned professional under the tutelage of boxing legend Angelo Dundee and quickly became famous for his unorthodox style, his spectacular results, and his tireless self-promotion (the latter inspired in part by professional wrestler Gorgeous George and singer Little Richard). He made a name for himself as the "Louisville Slugger" by composing poems predicting in which round he would knock out his opponent. He boisterously sang his own praises, with sayings like "I am the greatest" and "I'm young, I'm pretty, I'm fast, and no one can beat me."

In Louisville on October 29, 1960 Cassius Clay won his first professional fight. He won a six-round decision over Tunney Hunsaker, who was the police chief of Fayetteville, West Virginia. From 1960 to 1963, the young fighter amassed a record of 19-0 with 15 knockouts. He defeated such boxers as Tony Esperti, Jim Robinson, Donnie Fleeman, Duke Sabedong, Alonzo Johnson, George Logan, Willi Besmanoff, and Lamar Clark (who had won his previous 40 bouts by knockout). Among Clay's more impressive victories were against Sonny Banks (who knocked him down earlier in the bout), Alejandro Lavorante, and Archie Moore (a boxing legend who had won over 200 previous fights). Cassius became the number one contender for Sonny Liston's title. Liston was greatly feared, and some have said that he was the Mike Tyson of his era. Almost no one gave the young boxer a chance of beating Liston. The date was fixed for February 25, 1964; during the weigh-in, the boisterous Ali declared that he would "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." [1] (http://www.jamescampion.com/ncnali.html)

First Title Fight, Clay versus Liston

Clay, however, had a plan. Misreading Clay's exuberance as nervousness, Liston was over-confident and unprepared for any result but a quick stoppage. In the opening rounds, Clay's speed, greater even than his idols, Sugar Ray Robinson and Archie Moore, kept him away from Liston's powerful head and body shots, as he used his height and reach advantage to effectively counterpunch with the jab. As early as the third round, Liston began to visibly tire, and Clay took full advantage, landing several heavy punches. By the third, Clay was clearly on top and had opened a large cut under Liston's eye. Liston regained some ground in the fourth, as Clay was blinded by a foreign substance. It is unknown whether this was something used to close Liston's cuts or applied to Liston's gloves for a nefarious purpose. Partially sighted, Clay was able to keep out of range, and by the fifth and into the sixth, he was looking for a finish. That came before the seventh, when Liston retired on his stool, later claiming his shoulder had become dislocated. Clay leapt out of his corner, proclaiming himself "King of the World" and demanding the writers eat their words.

Clay was duly crowned the heavyweight champion of the world. He would reconfirm his abilities when he knocked out Liston in the first round of their rematch in Lewiston, Maine on May 25, 1965, albeit controversially, as few observers saw the "phantom punch" that floored Liston. That November, Clay met and defeated former champion Floyd Patterson. The referee stopped the fight in Round 12 after Patterson had taken a horrible beating.

Clay becomes Ali

In between the two matches, he also became famous for other reasons: he joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali, although only a few journalists (most notably Howard Cosell) accepted it. 1966 and early 1967 were a busy time for the champion. In a period of a year he defended his title seven times. No other champion has had that many defenses in only a year. In March 1966, he won a unanimous decision over tough Canadian champion George Chuvalo (who was never knocked down in his career). Ali then traveled to England to face "British Bulldog" Brian London and Henry Cooper (who had knocked him down in their initial 1963 match). Ali won both fights by knockout. He traveled to Germany next to face southpaw Karl Mildenberger (who was the first German to fight for the title since Max Schmeling). In one of his tougher fights, Ali finally won by knockout in Round 12. In November 1966, Ali returned to the United States to face Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams in the Houston Astrodome. Williams had one of the highest knockout percentages in history and has often been ranked as one of the finest fighters who never won a title. Many felt he would give the champion a tough battle, however Ali easily knocked him out in the third round. In February and March of 1967, Ali faced Ernie Terrell in the Astrodome and Zora Folley at Madison Square Garden. Terrell had refused to acknowledge Ali's name and the champ vowed to punish him for this perceived insolence. Even though the fight went to a decision, Ali delivered a horrible beating and won every round. He kept taunting the challenger throughout the fight and many called his treatment cruel and brutal. Ali's fight with the 35 year old Folley is regarded by many as his finest performance in the ring. He showed what a breathtaking fighter he was by throwing every punch sharply and on target. He knocked out the challenger in Round 7.

It was in this same year he refused to serve in the American army during the Vietnam War as a conscientious objector, famously saying that he "got nothing against no Viet Cong" and "No Vietnamese ever called me a nigger." He was stripped of his championship belt and his license to box and sentenced to five years in prison. The sentence was overturned on appeal three years later.

Ali's actions in refusing military service and aligning himself with the Nation of Islam made him a lightning rod of controversy, turning the outspoken but popular former champion into one of that era's most recognizable and controversial figures. Appearing at rallies with Nation of Islam leaders Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X and declaring his allegiance to them at a time when mainstream America viewed them with suspicion—if not actual hostility—made Ali a target of outrage and suspicion as well. Ali seemed at times to even provoke such reactions, with viewpoints that wavered from support for civil rights to outright support of racial separatism.

In 1970, granted a license to box once more following his Supreme Court victory wherein he was granted his right to refuse military service, he began a comeback. But he suffered a setback when he lost his 1971 title fight, a bruising 15-round encounter with Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden. This fight, known simply as "The Fight," was perhaps one of the most famous and eagerly anticipated bouts of all time, since it featured two skilled, undefeated fighters, both of whom had reasonable claims to the heavyweight crown. The fight lived up to the hype, and Frazier punctuated his victory by flooring Ali with a hard left hook in the final round. Ali split two bouts with Ken Norton before beating Frazier on points in their 1974 rematch to earn another title shot.

Ali's religious views also changed with time. He began to study the Qur'an and converted to Sunni Islam, rejecting the teachings of the Nation of Islam.

The Rumble in the Jungle and Thrilla in Manila

Ali on the cover of Sports Illustrated ( Dec 23, 1974)

The incumbent, George Foreman, was a large, hard-hitting, undefeated young fighter who had previously demolished Frazier, KO'ing him in the second round of their championship fight. Foreman was the heavy favorite. The fight was held in Zaire and promoted by Don King as "The Rumble in the Jungle." In the October 30, 1974 bout that would cement his reputation as "The Greatest", Ali boxed his best tactical fight. Leading with his "wrong" hand and playing "rope-a-dope" by leaning far back on the ropes (that had supposedly been loosened by Dundee), Ali absorbed everything Foreman could throw at him, whilst only occasionally throwing counter-punches. By the end of the sixth round, Foreman had punched himself out, and Ali was able to attack a little more. Foreman kept advancing, but his blows were much less effective, and near the end of the eighth, Ali's right hand finally sent the exhausted Foreman to the floor. As a result of this fight, he was awarded the 1974 Hickok Belt as top professional athlete of the year and Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award.

In 1975, Ali defeated Joe Frazier once more in the Thrilla In Manila in the Philippines. This fight surpassed their earlier bouts and became one of the most well-known heavyweight fights ever. After 14 grueling rounds, Frazier's trainer Eddie Futch refused to allow Frazier to continue, and Ali left the winner by TKO. Along with the "Rumble", his fights with Frazier are widely considered among the greatest in boxing history. Ring Magazine called this bout 1975's Fight of the Year, the fifth year an Ali fight had earned that distinction. Many felt Ali should have retired after this fight, however he continued to box. 1976 saw him knock out two largely unknown opponents, Belgian stonecutter Jean-Pierre Coopman and English boxer Richard Dunn. On April 30, 1976 Ali faced Jimmy Young in Landover, Maryland and many regard this as his worst fight. Ali was heavy and out of shape, refusing to take the young challenger seriously. Ali was awarded a unanimous decision, but it was widely booed by the crowd. Many who scored the fight at ringside thought Young deserved the decision. Even Ali's loyal trainer Angelo Dundee said this was his worst performance in the ring. In September, Ali faced Ken Norton in their third fight held at Yankee Stadium. Once again, the champion won a widely debated decision.

He would retain his title until a 1978 loss to 1976 Olympic champion Leon Spinks, who was fighting in only his eighth professional fight. He defeated Spinks in a rematch, becoming the heavyweight champion for the record third time. Then on June 27, 1979, he announced his retirement and vacated the title.

Ali also fought against a Japanese wrestler, Antonio Inoki, in a shoot match.

That retirement was short-lived, however, and on October 2, 1980, he challenged Larry Holmes for the WBC's version of the world Heavyweight title. Looking to set another record, as the first boxer to win the Heavyweight title four times, he lost by technical knockout in round eleven, when Dundee would not let him come out for the round. The Holmes fight, promoted as "The Last Hurrah", was a fight many fans and experts view with disdain because of what many viewed as a "deteriorated version" of Ali. Holmes was Ali's sparring partner when Holmes was a budding fighter; thus, some viewed the result of the fight as a symbolic "passing of the torch." Holmes even admitted later that, although he dominated the fight, he held his punches back a bit out of sheer respect for his idol and former employer. It was revealed after the fight that Ali had an examination at the Mayo Clinic and the results were shocking. He admitted to tingling in his hands and slurring of his speech. The exam revealed he actually had a hole in the membrane of his brain. However, Don King withheld this report and allowed the fight to go on.

Despite the apparent finality of his loss to Holmes and his increasingly suspect medical condition, Ali would fight one more time. On December 11, 1981, he fought rising contender and future world champion Trevor Berbick, in what was billed as "The Drama in the Bahamas." Because Ali was widely viewed as a damaged fighter, few American venues expressed much interest in hosting the bout, and few fans expressed much interest in attending or watching it. Compared to the mega-fights Ali fought in widely known venues earlier in his career, the match took place in virtual obscurity in Nassau. Although Ali performed marginally better against Berbick than he had against Holmes fourteen months earlier, he still lost a 10-round unanimous decision to Berbick, who at 27 was twelve years younger.

Following this loss, Ali retired permanently in 1981 with a career record of 56 wins, 37 by knockout, against 5 losses.

Ali had a highly unorthodox style for a heavyweight boxer. He carried his hands at his sides rather than the orthodox boxing style of carrying the hands high to defend the face. Instead, he relied on his extraordinary reflexes and reach (83 inches) to keep him away from his opponents' blows. Ali punched to the head much more than most boxers—a high-risk strategy since, over the duration of a long fight, punches to the body can be much more effective in tiring an opponent out.

In retirement

Ali was diagnosed with Pugilistic Parkinson's syndrome in 1982, following which his motor functions began a slow decline.

Despite this, he remains a hero to millions around the world. In 1985, he was called on to negotiate for the release of kidnapped Americans in Lebanon. In 1996, he had the honor of lighting the Olympic flame in Atlanta, Georgia. At the same Olympics, Ali was also presented with a replacement gold medal. He had supposedly thrown the previous one, won in 1960, into the Ohio River after being refused entry to a restaurant, confirming his own suspicions that even with a gold medal, he would not be treated any different in the South.

His daughter Laila Ali also became a boxer in 1999 despite her father's earlier comments against female boxing in 1978: "Women are not made to be hit in the breast, and face like that... the body's not made to be punched right here [patting his chest]. Get hit in the breast... hard... and all that."

The $60 million Muhammad Ali Center is scheduled to open in downtown Louisville, Kentucky in the Fall of 2005. In addition to displaying his boxing memorabilia, the center will focus on core themes of peace, social responsibility, respect, and personal growth.

Muhammad Ali currently lives in Michigan. His current wife Lonnie Williams (his fourth) is also from Louisville. He has nine children: Maryum, Rasheeda, Jamillah, Hana, Laila, Khaliah, Miya, Muhammad Junior and Asaad.

Pro Wrestling

  • Ali had a boxer vs. wrestler match against Antonio Inoki in June 1976 in Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The match was declared a draw.
  • Ali also refereed the main event at Wrestlemania I in 1985.

Books

  • Sting Like a Bee, by Jose Torres (with significant contributions from Bert Randolph Sugar and Norman Mailer). ISBN 0071395881
  • King Of The World, by David Remnick — An account of Ali's rise to greatness, focusing on the two fights with Sonny Liston

Films

  • The Greatest (1977, starring Ali as himself)
  • Ali (2001, directed by Michael Mann, starring Will Smith)
  • When We Were Kings (filmed 1974, released 1996, documentary about the "Rumble in the Jungle" by filmmaker Leon Gast.)
  • I Am the Greatest: The Adventures of Muhammad Ali, an animated television series

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He has nine children: Maryum, Rasheeda, Jamillah, Hana, Laila, Khaliah, Miya, Muhammad Junior and Asaad. Major highways include:. His current wife Lonnie Williams (his fourth) is also from Louisville. Montana has several ski areas including:. Muhammad Ali currently lives in Michigan. The Minor League baseball teams are:. In addition to displaying his boxing memorabilia, the center will focus on core themes of peace, social responsibility, respect, and personal growth. Some of the historical cities and towns of Montana are:.

The $60 million Muhammad Ali Center is scheduled to open in downtown Louisville, Kentucky in the Fall of 2005. Some of the major cities and towns in Montana are:. and all that.". Montana's largest city is Billings. hard.. Its industrial outputs are mining, lumber and wood products, food processing, and tourism. Get hit in the breast.. Its agricultural outputs are cattle, wheat, barley, sugar beets, hay, and hogs.

the body's not made to be punched right here [patting his chest]. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (http://www.bea.gov/) estimates that Montana's total state product in 2003 was $26 billion. Per capital personal income in 2003 was $25,406, 47th in the nation. His daughter Laila Ali also became a boxer in 1999 despite her father's earlier comments against female boxing in 1978: "Women are not made to be hit in the breast, and face like that.. Several Indian reservations are located in Montana: Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Crow Indian Reservation, Rocky Boys Indian Reservation, Blackfeet Indian Reservation, and the Flathead Indian Reservation. He had supposedly thrown the previous one, won in 1960, into the Ohio River after being refused entry to a restaurant, confirming his own suspicions that even with a gold medal, he would not be treated any different in the South. senators are Max Baucus (Democrat) and Conrad Burns (Republican). At the same Olympics, Ali was also presented with a replacement gold medal. Its two U.S.

In 1996, he had the honor of lighting the Olympic flame in Atlanta, Georgia. The capital of Montana is Helena and its current Governor is Brian Schweitzer (Democrat) who was sworn in on January 3, 2005. In 1985, he was called on to negotiate for the release of kidnapped Americans in Lebanon. See: List of Montana Governors. Despite this, he remains a hero to millions around the world. It is operated by the National Park Service, but is also a 1900-acre (7.7 kmē) working ranch. Ali was diagnosed with Pugilistic Parkinson's syndrome in 1982, following which his motor functions began a slow decline. The Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in Deer Lodge Valley is maintained as a link to the ranching style of the late 19th century.

Ali punched to the head much more than most boxers—a high-risk strategy since, over the duration of a long fight, punches to the body can be much more effective in tiring an opponent out. Cattle ranching has long been central to Montana's history and economy. Instead, he relied on his extraordinary reflexes and reach (83 inches) to keep him away from his opponents' blows. Montana was also the location of the final battles of the Nez Perce Wars. He carried his hands at his sides rather than the orthodox boxing style of carrying the hands high to defend the face. Colonel George Armstrong Custer was fought in Montana near the present day town of Hardin. Ali had a highly unorthodox style for a heavyweight boxer. Army Lt.

Following this loss, Ali retired permanently in 1981 with a career record of 56 wins, 37 by knockout, against 5 losses. For instance, the last stand of U.S. Although Ali performed marginally better against Berbick than he had against Holmes fourteen months earlier, he still lost a 10-round unanimous decision to Berbick, who at 27 was twelve years younger. Montana was the scene of the Native Americans' last effort to keep their land. Compared to the mega-fights Ali fought in widely known venues earlier in his career, the match took place in virtual obscurity in Nassau. Montana became a United States territory (Montana Territory) on May 26, 1864 and the 41st state on November 8, 1889. On December 11, 1981, he fought rising contender and future world champion Trevor Berbick, in what was billed as "The Drama in the Bahamas." Because Ali was widely viewed as a damaged fighter, few American venues expressed much interest in hosting the bout, and few fans expressed much interest in attending or watching it. The smaller Pend d'Oreille and Kalispel tribes were found around Flathead Lake and the western mountains, respectively.

Despite the apparent finality of his loss to Holmes and his increasingly suspect medical condition, Ali would fight one more time. Groups included the Crows in the south-central area, the Cheyenne in the southeast, the Blackfeet, Assiniboine and Gros Ventres in the central and north-central region and the Kootenai and Salish in the western sector. However, Don King withheld this report and allowed the fight to go on. Native Americans were the first inhabitants of modern-day Montana. The exam revealed he actually had a hole in the membrane of his brain. Sagebrush and various species of grass are common plants in the region, and forests cover 1/4 of the state. He admitted to tingling in his hands and slurring of his speech. Additionally, flowers native to Montana include asters, bitterroots, daisies, lupines, poppies, primroses, columbine, lilies and dryads.

It was revealed after the fight that Ali had an examination at the Mayo Clinic and the results were shocking. Vegetation of the area includes pine, larch, fir, spruce, aspen, birch, cedar, ash, and alder trees. Holmes was Ali's sparring partner when Holmes was a budding fighter; thus, some viewed the result of the fight as a symbolic "passing of the torch." Holmes even admitted later that, although he dominated the fight, he held his punches back a bit out of sheer respect for his idol and former employer. The Yellowstone, a tributary of the Missouri, rises in the Yellowstone Park in Wyoming, flows northeast across the state through canyons and gorges, and enters the Missouri a few miles east of the North Dakota boundary. The Holmes fight, promoted as "The Last Hurrah", was a fight many fans and experts view with disdain because of what many viewed as a "deteriorated version" of Ali. The Missouri river, formed by the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers crosses the northeastern part of the state and enters North Dakota. Looking to set another record, as the first boxer to win the Heavyweight title four times, he lost by technical knockout in round eleven, when Dundee would not let him come out for the round. The Clark Fork of the Missouri (not to be confused with the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River) rises in the Rocky Mountains near Butte, and after flowing west turns north and forms portion of the Idaho boundary.

That retirement was short-lived, however, and on October 2, 1980, he challenged Larry Holmes for the WBC's version of the world Heavyweight title. The principal river systems in Montana are the Clark Fork of the Columbia, the Missouri, and the Yellowstone. Then on June 27, 1979, he announced his retirement and vacated the title. The highest point in the state, Granite Peak, is 12,799 feet high. He defeated Spinks in a rematch, becoming the heavyweight champion for the record third time. The mountains are intersected by numerous valleys and canyons, through which flow several beautiful rivers. He would retain his title until a 1978 loss to 1976 Olympic champion Leon Spinks, who was fighting in only his eighth professional fight. Besides the prominent mountain ranges there are many spurs, detached ridges, and smooth, sloping buttes.

Once again, the champion won a widely debated decision. In the south near the Yellowstone River the mountains reach an altitude of 10,000 feet and the peaks are perpetually covered with snow. In September, Ali faced Ken Norton in their third fight held at Yankee Stadium. East of the Rocky Mountains is a rolling tableland, traversed by several large rivers. Even Ali's loyal trainer Angelo Dundee said this was his worst performance in the ring. Between these ranges is a great basin, forming one-fifth of the entire area. Many who scored the fight at ringside thought Young deserved the decision. The Bitterroot Mountains from the western boundary line, and east of this the main chain of the Rocky Mountains cross the state.

Ali was awarded a unanimous decision, but it was widely booed by the crowd. In the west it is extremely mountainous. Ali was heavy and out of shape, refusing to take the young challenger seriously. The surface of the state is highly diverse. On April 30, 1976 Ali faced Jimmy Young in Landover, Maryland and many regard this as his worst fight. 275,000 acres (1100 kmē) are administered as state parks and forests. 1976 saw him knock out two largely unknown opponents, Belgian stonecutter Jean-Pierre Coopman and English boxer Richard Dunn. The Federal government administers 36,000,000 acres (146,000 kmē).

Many felt Ali should have retired after this fight, however he continued to box. Other sites include the Little Bighorn National Monument, Bighorn Canyon National Recreational Area, Big Hole National Battlefield, and the National Bison Range. There are also a number of National Forests and National Wildlife Refuges. Ring Magazine called this bout 1975's Fight of the Year, the fifth year an Ali fight had earned that distinction. Montana contains Glacier National Park and portions of Yellowstone National Park. Along with the "Rumble", his fights with Frazier are widely considered among the greatest in boxing history. Montana is also one of many areas to claim the disputed title of "world's shortest river" (the Roe River). After 14 grueling rounds, Frazier's trainer Eddie Futch refused to allow Frazier to continue, and Ali left the winner by TKO. Major rivers in the state include the Missouri, Clark Fork of the Columbia, Milk, Flathead and Yellowstone.

This fight surpassed their earlier bouts and became one of the most well-known heavyweight fights ever. With a land area of 376,978 kmē (145,552 square miles), Montana is the fourth largest in the United States (after Alaska, Texas, and California). In 1975, Ali defeated Joe Frazier once more in the Thrilla In Manila in the Philippines. In the south is the Wyoming border, and on the west and southwest is the Idaho border, marked by the Bitterroot River. As a result of this fight, he was awarded the 1974 Hickok Belt as top professional athlete of the year and Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award. To the east is the border with North Dakota; to the southeast is a short border with South Dakota. Foreman kept advancing, but his blows were much less effective, and near the end of the eighth, Ali's right hand finally sent the exhausted Foreman to the floor. The state borders the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

By the end of the sixth round, Foreman had punched himself out, and Ali was able to attack a little more. Montana and Canada share a 877km (545-mile) northern border. The fight was held in Zaire and promoted by Don King as "The Rumble in the Jungle." In the October 30, 1974 bout that would cement his reputation as "The Greatest", Ali boxed his best tactical fight. Leading with his "wrong" hand and playing "rope-a-dope" by leaning far back on the ropes (that had supposedly been loosened by Dundee), Ali absorbed everything Foreman could throw at him, whilst only occasionally throwing counter-punches. Main articles: List of Montana counties, List of Montana rivers. Foreman was the heavy favorite. The USS Montana was named in honor of the state. The incumbent, George Foreman, was a large, hard-hitting, undefeated young fighter who had previously demolished Frazier, KO'ing him in the second round of their championship fight. postal abbreviation is MT.

He began to study the Qur'an and converted to Sunni Islam, rejecting the teachings of the Nation of Islam. Its U.S. Ali's religious views also changed with time. The largest city is Billings. Ali split two bouts with Ken Norton before beating Frazier on points in their 1974 rematch to earn another title shot. The state capital is Helena. The fight lived up to the hype, and Frazier punctuated his victory by flooring Ali with a hard left hook in the final round. Senator (Max Baucus).

This fight, known simply as "The Fight," was perhaps one of the most famous and eagerly anticipated bouts of all time, since it featured two skilled, undefeated fighters, both of whom had reasonable claims to the heavyweight crown. The state is generally regarded as Republican; many are surprised to hear that the state has a Democratic governor (Brian Schweitzer), Democratic-controlled legislature (the Montana State Legislature), and one Democratic U.S. In 1970, granted a license to box once more following his Supreme Court victory wherein he was granted his right to refuse military service, he began a comeback. But he suffered a setback when he lost his 1971 title fight, a bruising 15-round encounter with Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden. Montana's people are largely homogenous, with 89.5 percent of the population white (but with a sizable American Indian representation at 6.2 percent). Ali seemed at times to even provoke such reactions, with viewpoints that wavered from support for civil rights to outright support of racial separatism. The state became the first to elect a female member of Congress, Jeannette Rankin. Appearing at rallies with Nation of Islam leaders Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X and declaring his allegiance to them at a time when mainstream America viewed them with suspicion—if not actual hostility—made Ali a target of outrage and suspicion as well. Originally inhabited by Native Americans, modern-day Montana became Montana Territory in 1864 and later became the 41st state in 1889.

Ali's actions in refusing military service and aligning himself with the Nation of Islam made him a lightning rod of controversy, turning the outspoken but popular former champion into one of that era's most recognizable and controversial figures. The western one-third of the state is primarily mountainous terrain, while the eastern two-third is part of the northern Great Plains. The sentence was overturned on appeal three years later. The state ranks fourth in size but has a low population and population density, with much of the state being rural. The economy is primarily ranching-based, with some agricultural crops (wheat, barley, sugar beets) and a significant lumber and mineral industry. It was in this same year he refused to serve in the American army during the Vietnam War as a conscientious objector, famously saying that he "got nothing against no Viet Cong" and "No Vietnamese ever called me a nigger." He was stripped of his championship belt and his license to box and sentenced to five years in prison. The name probably comes from the Spanish word montaņa ("mountain"). He knocked out the challenger in Round 7. Montana is a state in the western United States.

He showed what a breathtaking fighter he was by throwing every punch sharply and on target. MacLean, Norman, Young Men and Fire. He kept taunting the challenger throughout the fight and many called his treatment cruel and brutal. Ali's fight with the 35 year old Folley is regarded by many as his finest performance in the ring. MacLean, Norman, A River Runs Through It. Even though the fight went to a decision, Ali delivered a horrible beating and won every round. Doig, Ivan, English Creek. Terrell had refused to acknowledge Ali's name and the champ vowed to punish him for this perceived insolence. Doig, Ivan, Dancing at the Rascal Fair.

In February and March of 1967, Ali faced Ernie Terrell in the Astrodome and Zora Folley at Madison Square Garden. ISBN 0806118903.. Many felt he would give the champion a tough battle, however Ali easily knocked him out in the third round. University of Oklahoma: 1984. Williams had one of the highest knockout percentages in history and has often been ranked as one of the finest fighters who never won a title. Montana: An Uncommon Land. In November 1966, Ali returned to the United States to face Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams in the Houston Astrodome. Toole, Kenneth Ross.

In one of his tougher fights, Ali finally won by knockout in Round 12. ISBN 0295971290.. He traveled to Germany next to face southpaw Karl Mildenberger (who was the first German to fight for the title since Max Schmeling). University of Washington: 1991. Ali won both fights by knockout. Montana: A History of Two Centuries. Ali then traveled to England to face "British Bulldog" Brian London and Henry Cooper (who had knocked him down in their initial 1963 match). al.

No other champion has had that many defenses in only a year. In March 1966, he won a unanimous decision over tough Canadian champion George Chuvalo (who was never knocked down in his career). Lang, William L., et. In a period of a year he defended his title seven times. ISBN 0803273398.. 1966 and early 1967 were a busy time for the champion. Bison Books: 2003. In between the two matches, he also became famous for other reasons: he joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali, although only a few journalists (most notably Howard Cosell) accepted it. Montana: High, Wide, and Handsome.

The referee stopped the fight in Round 12 after Patterson had taken a horrible beating. Howard, Joseph Kinsey. That November, Clay met and defeated former champion Floyd Patterson. Highway 93. He would reconfirm his abilities when he knocked out Liston in the first round of their rematch in Lewiston, Maine on May 25, 1965, albeit controversially, as few observers saw the "phantom punch" that floored Liston. U.S. Clay was duly crowned the heavyweight champion of the world. Highway 212.

Clay leapt out of his corner, proclaiming himself "King of the World" and demanding the writers eat their words. U.S. That came before the seventh, when Liston retired on his stool, later claiming his shoulder had become dislocated. Highway 2. Partially sighted, Clay was able to keep out of range, and by the fifth and into the sixth, he was looking for a finish. U.S. It is unknown whether this was something used to close Liston's cuts or applied to Liston's gloves for a nefarious purpose. Interstate 94.

Liston regained some ground in the fourth, as Clay was blinded by a foreign substance. Interstate 90. By the third, Clay was clearly on top and had opened a large cut under Liston's eye. Interstate 15. As early as the third round, Liston began to visibly tire, and Clay took full advantage, landing several heavy punches. In the movie 'Star Trek: First Contact', Montana is the location of the historical first contact between humans and an alien race, the Vulcans. In the opening rounds, Clay's speed, greater even than his idols, Sugar Ray Robinson and Archie Moore, kept him away from Liston's powerful head and body shots, as he used his height and reach advantage to effectively counterpunch with the jab. Shortest river in the world: The Roe River.

Misreading Clay's exuberance as nervousness, Liston was over-confident and unprepared for any result but a quick stoppage. State fish: Blackspotted Cutthroat Trout. Clay, however, had a plan. State bird: Western Meadowlark. The date was fixed for February 25, 1964; during the weigh-in, the boisterous Ali declared that he would "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." [1] (http://www.jamescampion.com/ncnali.html). State animal: Grizzly Bear. Almost no one gave the young boxer a chance of beating Liston. State tree: Ponderosa Pine.

Liston was greatly feared, and some have said that he was the Mike Tyson of his era. State flower: Bitterroot. Cassius became the number one contender for Sonny Liston's title. Turner near Libby. Among Clay's more impressive victories were against Sonny Banks (who knocked him down earlier in the bout), Alejandro Lavorante, and Archie Moore (a boxing legend who had won over 200 previous fights). Showdown Ski Area near White Sulphur Springs. He defeated such boxers as Tony Esperti, Jim Robinson, Donnie Fleeman, Duke Sabedong, Alonzo Johnson, George Logan, Willi Besmanoff, and Lamar Clark (who had won his previous 40 bouts by knockout). Red Lodge Mountain near Red Lodge.

From 1960 to 1963, the young fighter amassed a record of 19-0 with 15 knockouts. Moonlight Basin near Bozeman. He won a six-round decision over Tunney Hunsaker, who was the police chief of Fayetteville, West Virginia. Discovery near Philipsburg. In Louisville on October 29, 1960 Cassius Clay won his first professional fight. Bridger Bowl near Bozeman. He boisterously sang his own praises, with sayings like "I am the greatest" and "I'm young, I'm pretty, I'm fast, and no one can beat me.". Blacktail near Lakeside.

He made a name for himself as the "Louisville Slugger" by composing poems predicting in which round he would knock out his opponent. Big Sky near Bozeman. He then turned professional under the tutelage of boxing legend Angelo Dundee and quickly became famous for his unorthodox style, his spectacular results, and his tireless self-promotion (the latter inspired in part by professional wrestler Gorgeous George and singer Little Richard). Big Mountain near Whitefish. At the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, he won a gold medal as a light heavyweight boxer. Billings Mustangs. Presciently, his principal announced during a staff meeting about the issue that Clay would someday be "this school's claim to fame." Clay later joked about his lackluster academic record saying, "I said I was the Greatest, not the smartest.". Helena Brewers.

A low achiever academically, Clay won six Kentucky Gold Gloves while at high school and was allowed to graduate despite his poor grades. Great Falls White Sox. Martin suggested that Clay learn to fight; under his guidance, Clay rapidly advanced through the youth ranks. Missoula Osprey. At age 12, he had his bicycle stolen, and reported the fact to a local policeman (and boxing trainer), Joe Martin. Clay, was born in Louisville, Kentucky.

Clay, named after his father and Kentucky abolitionist Cassius M. He is also considered by many to be one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. He was one of the world's greatest heavyweight boxers, as well as one of the world's most famous individuals, renowned the world over for his boxing and political activism. Muhammad Ali-Haj (born January 17, 1942 as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.) is an American boxer.

I Am the Greatest: The Adventures of Muhammad Ali, an animated television series. When We Were Kings (filmed 1974, released 1996, documentary about the "Rumble in the Jungle" by filmmaker Leon Gast.). Ali (2001, directed by Michael Mann, starring Will Smith). The Greatest (1977, starring Ali as himself).

King Of The World, by David Remnick — An account of Ali's rise to greatness, focusing on the two fights with Sonny Liston. ISBN 0071395881. Sting Like a Bee, by Jose Torres (with significant contributions from Bert Randolph Sugar and Norman Mailer). Ali also refereed the main event at Wrestlemania I in 1985.

The match was declared a draw. wrestler match against Antonio Inoki in June 1976 in Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Ali had a boxer vs.