Ali, Muhammad (1942– )
US boxer Muhammad Ali, three times world heavyweight champion. A skilled and elegant boxer, he outmanoeuvred rather than outpunched his opponents. Born Cassius Clay, he changed his name when he became a Muslim.
US boxer. Olympic light-heavyweight champion in 1960, he went on to become world professional heavyweight champion in 1964, and was the only man to regain the title twice. He was known for his fast footwork and extrovert nature. In December 1999 he was voted the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Sports Personality of the Century and the US magazine Sports Illustrated and the US newspaper USA Today both named him Sportsman of the Century.
Career highlights
Professional record (1960–81)
fights: 61; wins: 56 (37 inside the distance); draws: 0; defeats: 5
Olympic Games
gold light-heavyweight 1960
World heavyweight champion
1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980
Awards
BBC Sports Personality of the Century
He had his title stripped from him in 1967 for refusing to be drafted into the US Army. He regained his title in 1974, lost it in February 1978, and regained it seven months later.
| He had the last of his 61 professional fights in 1981 against Trevor Berbick. |
Ali, (Chaudri) Muhammad (1905–1980)
| Pakistani politician, prime minister 1955–56. In 1932 he was made accountant general of Bahawalpur state and re-established its finances. In 1936 he became private secretary to the Indian finance minister and in 1945 was the first Indian to be appointed financial adviser of war and supply. In 1947, on the partition of India, he became the first secretary general of the Pakistan government, in 1951 finance minister, and in 1955 prime minister. He resigned in 1956 because of lack of support from members of his own party, the Muslim League. |
| Born in Jullundur, India, he was educated at Punjab University. In 1928 he left a chemistry lectureship at Islamia College, Lahore, for the Indian Civil Service. A man of powerful intellect, he was often described in Pakistan as the ‘brains trust’ of the post-partition governments. |
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