Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali was born in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. His parents named him Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. They named their son after a Kentucky statesman who had fought against slavery in the 1800s.

Young Cassius Clay quickly made his mark in the boxing ring. He turned professional after winning a gold medal in the Olympic Games in 1960. Four years later, he knocked out Sonny Liston to earn his first world heavyweight champion title.

After winning the title, Clay converted to Islam. This religion follows the teachings of the prophet Muhammad. When Clay converted, he took a new name, Muhammad Ali.

Ali retired in 1981 with a record of 56 wins and 5 losses. He won fame for his graceful footwork, powerful jabs, and confident boasts about his boxing skill. He proclaimed that he was “The Greatest,” and many sports fans agreed.

Ali thrilled fans once again when he lit the flame at the start of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

1.  Answer these following questions according to the text 2.

a.       What kind of text is it?

b.      When did Mohammad Ali start his carrier as a professional boxer?

c.       Why did he change his name?

d.      Why did he call himself as “The Greatest”?