Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, boxer, born (named Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr). on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky (he was known in the early days of his career as "the Louisville Lip"). Ali is widely regarded as one of the best boxers of all time, perhaps the best, and certainly one of the most politically-active sportspeople in history.

Biography

The young Cassius Clay was born into the racially segregated American south. He began boxing at age 12, initially tutored by policeman Joe Martin.

Boxing career

Ali is generally regarded as the greatest heavyweight champion in the history of boxing (although for most of his amateur career he fought as a light heavyweight). His style was unusual for a heavyweight, particularly his habit of carrying his hands at his sides (as opposed to the orthodox boxing style of carrying the hands high so as to easily defend the face). He was able to do this because he could rely on his extraordinary speed to get him out of trouble. Jose Torres, himself a World Champion in the middleweight division, wrote in his definitive biography of Ali Sting Like a Bee that Ali never threw punches with his whole body, but instead punched from the shoulder, implying less power.

Please add something about his amateur career

As Cassius Clay, he won the gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, after a glittering amateur career including six Kentucky State Golden Gloves titles, two National Golden Gloves titles, and two National Amateur Athletic Union titles.

He turned professional under the tuition of Angelo Dundee, a trainer who had handled many great boxers including Willie Pastrano.

Books:

Sting Like a Bee, by Jose Torres (with significant contributions from Bert Randolph Sugar and Norman Mailer). ISBN 0071395881

Please finish this off - there are some good links on about.com to provide source material, and also on http://www.top-biography.com/9118-Muhammad%20Ali/, an excellent source. Don't copy and paste from them.