SoftSchools.com

Muhammad Ali Timeline


Timeline Description: Muhammad Ali is a champion boxer with heavyweight titles and Olympic gold medals. His legacy has reached around the world. This is a timeline of key points of his life.

DateEvent TitleEvent Description
1942Muhammad Ali is bornMuhammad Ali was born with the name Cassius Clay.
1954Cassius has his bike stolenAt 12 years old Cassius had his bike stolen. He was very angry, and a local policeman suggested he try boxing to help get his anger out.
1960Cassius is a winnerCassius Clay worked hard and won many titles, including a gold medal at the Olympics.
October 1960Cassius wins his first pro fightClay won his first pro fight against a police chief named Tunney Hunsaker.
1964Cassius Clay has his name changedAfter joining the Islam faith in 1964 Cassius changed his name to Muhammad Ali.
February 1964Ali's first heavyweight titleMuhammad Ali won his first heavyweight title against Sonny Listen.
August 1964Ali gets marriedMuhammad married Sonji Roi after knowing her for only one month.
1967Ali refused to serve in the armyAli was drafted into the United States Army, but he refused to serve his country based on religious reasons. He was arrested and stripped of his titles.
1970Muhammad fights againMuhammad was allowed to fight in Georgia, because Georgia didn't have a boxing commission to stop him. He won his fight against Jerry Quarry.
1971The Fight of the CenturyMuhammad challenged the boxing champion Joe Frazier. It was called the fight of the century, and Ali lost.
1971Muhammad is allowed to fight officiallyThe Supreme Court reversed Ali's charges from his refusal to join the army. He was officially allowed to box again in any state.
1979Muhammad retires from boxingMuhammad Ali announced he was retiring from boxing in 1979, but he came out of retirement in 1980.
1984Muhammad is struck with Parkinson's diseaseMuhammad was diagnosed with Parkinson's, a disease that is common among boxers.
1996Ali visits the Olympic Games againAt the summer games in Atlanta, Muhammad Ali lit and carried the torch for the Olympic Games.
2005Muhammad Ali is awarded by the presidentPresident George W. Bush presented Ali with two special medals, the Presidential Citizens Medal and the Medal of Freedom. Muhammad has inspired generations of people to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams. He will forever be remembered as "great".