Muhammad Ali: Photos Of The Professional Boxer

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June 2, 2016 2:29PM EDT

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Muhammad Ali shadow boxes on in the final stages of his preparations to fight Archie Moore

Muhammad Ali shadow boxes on in the final stages of his preparations to fight Archie Moore — Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist. When Muhammad was 22-years-old, he won his first world heavyweight championship. He joined the Nation of Islam in 1964, and then converted to Sunni Islam in 1975. In 1967, Muhammad was publicly vilified for his refusal to be conscripted into the U.S. military, which he had refused to join due to his religious beliefs and his opposition to the war. He was arrested and found guilty on draft evasion charges and he was stripped of his boxing title. He appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he won the right to box again. Muhammad is the first and only three-time lineal World Heavyweight Champion.

Muhammad’s boxing match against rival Joe Frazier is considered among the greatest in boxing history, and he was crowned ‘Sportsman of the Century’ by Sports Illustrated and ‘Sports Personality of the Century’ by the BBC in 1999.

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Muhammad Ali during a heavyweight title fight in Miami Beach

Muhammad Ali during a heavyweight title fight in Miami Beach — Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Clay as he was known at the time, whips a right to the head of ducking champ Sonny Liston. This was all during the first round of the heavyweight title fight in Miami Beach, Fla.

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Muhammad Ali is the only man ever to win the world heavyweight boxing championship three times.

Muhammad Ali is the only man ever to win the world heavyweight boxing championship three times. — Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali stands over fallen challenger Sonny Liston, shouting and gesturing shortly after dropping Liston with a short hard right to the jaw, in Lewiston, Maine. The bout lasted only one minute into the first round.

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Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali — Muhammad Ali during the build up to his fight with Joe Bugner Kuala Lumper in 1975 in Malaysia. He work white boxing shorts in the ring.

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Muhammad Ali with one of his daughters

Muhammad Ali with one of his daughters — Muhammad Ali had several children. Here he’s seen with one of his daughters in the 1980s.

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Muhammad Ali attends a Night of 100 Stars in New York in 1990.

Muhammad Ali attends a Night of 100 Stars in New York in 1990. — Muhammad Ali looking polished to perfection in a tuxedo. He attends a Night of 100 Stars in New York in 1990.

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Madonna and Muhammad Ali

Madonna and Muhammad Ali — Madonna and Muhammad Ali honored at Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Benefit. The event was held at Marriot Marquis Hotel in New York in 1995.

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Muhammad Ali at Sony’s 2000 Showest Luncheon.

Muhammad Ali at Sony’s 2000 Showest Luncheon. — Muhammad Ali at Sony’s 2000 Showest Luncheon. The event was held on March 8, 2000 in Las Vegas, NV at Paris Hotel.

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Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali — Muhammad Ali at Celebrity Fight Night XII. The event was held at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, AZ on March 18, 2006.

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Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali — Muhammad Ali and Lonnie Ali
Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night XVII, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, Phoenix, Arizona, America – 19 Mar 2011

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Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali — Boxer Muhammad Ali (formerly: Cassius Clay) With His Twin Daughters Jamilla & Rasheeda.
Boxer Muhammad Ali (formerly: Cassius Clay) With His Twin Daughters Jamilla & Rasheeda.

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Premiere of Columbia Pictures’ “Ali”.

Premiere of Columbia Pictures’ “Ali”. — Muhammad Ali, daughters Hana Ali and Laila Ali
Premiere of Columbia Pictures’ “Ali”.
December 12, 2001: Hollywood, CA
Muhammad Ali, daughters Hana Ali and Laila Ali
Premiere of Columbia Pictures’ “Ali”.
Photo by Eric Charbonneau/BEI

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Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali — Muhammad Ali Retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali listens to speakers alongside his daughter Laila Ali, left, wife Lonnie Ali, and his sister-in-law Marilyn Williams, right, before receiving the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, in Philadelphia. The honor is given annually to an individual who displays courage and conviction while striving to secure liberty for people worldwide
Ali Honored Boxing, Philadelphia, USA

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