BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : ALI THE OLYMPIC YEARS - THE ROAD TO WORLD FAME :

In 1960 Ali won a spot on the U.S. Boxing Team. He traveled to Rome, Italy to compete. At 6feet 3inches tall, Ali was an imposing figure in the ring. He was known for his foot work and for posing a powerful jab. After winning his first three bouts Ali defeated a Polish Boxer in the final to win a gold medal. Often referring to himself as " The Greatest". After his Olympic victory, Ali was heralded as the American hero. He soon turned professional with the backing of the Louisville Sponsoring Group, during the 1960's. Ali seem unstopable winning all his bouts with majority of them by knockout.

He too out Britain heavy weight champion Henry Cooper in 1963,m then knockout Sonny Liston in 1964 to the heavy weight champion of the world. He was not short of speech as he was an excellent show man and a street talker who told reporters that he could " Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee in the boxing ring"