Regarded as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, Muhammad Ali was much more than a boxing legend. He was a man of conviction who didn't shy away from standing up for his principles, both in and beyond the boxing ring.
Born as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali began boxing at the age of 12. His talent was quickly noticed and he went on to win a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. His professional boxing career started just months after his Olympic success.
