Even before the bell rang, Ali verbally lashed out at his opponents. He turned the weigh-in into a public spectacle, breaking the confidence of opponents with scathing remarks before he even put on his gloves.
Ali’s impressive 19-0 record with 15 wins by knockout in 1963 would make him the top contender for Sonny Liston’s World Heavyweight Champion title. In a great fight, Ali’s superior speed and maneuverability were enough to defeat Liston and earn him the championship. This was the beginning of his reign at the top.
During a storied career, he became world champion three times.
But outside the arena, Ali was also a force to be reckoned with, using his influence as a top athlete to spearhead social change and combat injustice.
Growing up black in the segregated American South, Ali used boxing as a platform to speak out on racial inequality and prejudice. As he grew older, he began to follow the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, and the Nation of Islam, eventually converting to Islam and changing his name.
Standing as a symbol of bravery and valor in the dark struggle for freedom, he became a part of the Civil Rights Movement. He was a charismatic orator with a silver tongue and sharp wit who mesmerized audiences with his boisterous charm.
Ali was a complete entertainer, working in films, spoken word poetry, professional wrestling, and even amateur art. He always stood larger than life.