Muhammad Ali — Timeline
Key moments in the life of Muhammad Ali.
1942
Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17
1954
Began boxing training at age 12 under coach Joe Martin
1964
Defeated Sonny Liston to win the WBC and WBA heavyweight titles on February 25
1964
Joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali
1966
Refused induction into the U.S. Army on religious grounds, citing opposition to the Vietnam War
1967
Stripped of heavyweight title and boxing license; convicted of draft evasion (later overturned by Supreme Court in 1971)
1974
Regained the heavyweight championship by defeating George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire on October 30
1975
Defeated Joe Frazier in the 'Thrilla in Manila' on October 1
1978
Lost heavyweight title to Leon Spinks but regained it later that year, becoming three-time heavyweight champion
2016
Died on June 3 in Phoenix, Arizona at age 74