Boxer, philanthropist and social activist Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky. Ali showed at an early age that he wasn't afraid of any bout—inside or outside of the ring. Growing up in the segregated South, he experienced racial prejudice and discrimination firsthand.
Muhammad Ali achieved a great deal in boxing such as winning the gold medal in 1960s summer Olympics in Rome and becoming the youngest person to achieve the heavyweight title at age 22. Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on Jan. 17, 1942.The day after winning the heavyweight title, Cassius Clay announced his conversion to Islam and then announced his new name, "Muhammad Ali," at a press conference the following month. Some of Muhammad Ali's most well-known fights include the "Fight of the Century" in 1971 in which he lost to Joe Frazier, "The Rumble in the Jungle" in 1974 when he defeated George Foreman and the "Thrilla in Manilla" in 1975 when he defeated Joe Frazier for the second time since losing to him in 1971.