Muhammad Ali - Why he is the greatest athlete who ever lived?
By Neelajit Sarkar
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Born in 1942, as Cassius Clay, raised in Louisville, Kentucky
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Ali began training as an amateur boxer at the age of 12
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Within six years, Ali won gold medal at the Olympic Games in Rome 1960
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Later that year, Ali became professional boxer and won all the heavyweight boxing titles
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At the age of 22, Cassius Clay Jr. became Muhammad Ali after converting to Islam and changing his name
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In 1964, Ali won against the All Time heavyweight champion Sonny Liston, where Ali was considered as an underdog
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In 1967, Ali refused to report for Vietnam War, citing his religious beliefs for which he was found guilty and stripped of his boxing title and banned for 3 years
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In 1971, Ali and Joe Frazier fought in what is known as the ‘Fight of the Century’, Frazier won in 15 rounds unanimous decision
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In 1974, Ali came back strong in the second re-match against Joe Frazier and won the bout in 12 Round
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Ali was also known for being a humanitarian and philanthropist
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Ali estimatedly helped to feed more than 22 million people affected by hunger across the world
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Ali was also keen and focused on youth education, He spoke at several historically black colleges and universities about the importance of education
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In 1990, Ali helped negotiate the release of 15 American hostages from Iraq
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In 1994, Ali campaigned to the US government to come to the aid of refugees afflicted by the Rwandan genocide, and to donate to organizations helping Rwandan refugees
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In 1998 he became a United Nations Messenger of Peace for his work overseas, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005