Muhammad Ali
Took up boxing at 12 after his bicycle was stolen; gave up his title rather than fight in Vietnam.
Muhammad Ali was born in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, US. Muhammad Ali's background is described as Black American. Growing up, the family was working class — sign-painter father, domestic-worker mother, in segregated Louisville. Took up boxing at 12 after his bicycle was stolen; gave up his title rather than fight in Vietnam.
- Born
- 1942 · Louisville, Kentucky, US
- Roots
- Black American
- Family
- Working class
- Sign-painter father, domestic-worker mother, in segregated Louisville.
- Education
- Central High School, Louisville
- Started with
- A stolen bicycle
- Reported the theft to a police officer who ran a boxing gym; Joe Martin became his first trainer.
- Affiliations & societies
- Nation of IslamDocumented
- Announced membership in 1964 and took the name Muhammad Ali; converted to Sunni Islam in 1975.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1954 · age 12The stolen bike
Tells officer Joe Martin he'll "whup" the thief; Martin suggests he learn to box first.
- 1960 · age 18Olympic gold
Light-heavyweight title in Rome.
- 1964 · age 22Heavyweight champion
Upsets Sonny Liston, then announces his Nation of Islam name.
- 1967 · age 25Refuses the draft
Stripped of the title and banned from boxing for over three years; faces prison.
- 1971 · age 29Supreme Court victory
His conviction is overturned unanimously.
- 1974 · age 32Rumble in the Jungle
Regains the title against George Foreman in Zaire.
- 1996 · age 54Atlanta torch
Lights the Olympic flame, hands trembling from Parkinson's, before a global audience.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Muhammad Ali from?
Muhammad Ali was born in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, US. Their background is described as Black American.
When was Muhammad Ali born?
Muhammad Ali was born in 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, US.
What is Muhammad Ali's background or ethnicity?
Muhammad Ali's roots are described as Black American. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Muhammad Ali go to school?
Muhammad Ali's education: Central High School, Louisville.
What was Muhammad Ali's family background growing up?
At birth the family was working class. Sign-painter father, domestic-worker mother, in segregated Louisville.
How did Muhammad Ali get started?
Muhammad Ali started with a stolen bicycle. Reported the theft to a police officer who ran a boxing gym; Joe Martin became his first trainer.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.