BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY :A BLACK BOXING GENIUS - MUHAMMAD ALI - SUPER BLACK MAGIC : INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK GENIUS"

Ali was born on January 17th 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. Ali became a Golden Gloves Champion in 1959 and became an Olympic Gold Medalist the folling year. Ali won all of his bouts in the 1960's, the majority of them by knockout. He his consider one of the greatest athletes in boxing history. Ali showed at an early age that he wast afraid of any bout - inside or outside of the ring. Growing up in the segregated south, Ali experienced racial prejudice and discrimination first hand which likely contributed to his passion for boxing.

Age 12, Ali discovered his talent for boxing through an odd twist of fate. His bike was stolen and Ali told a Police Officer Joe Martin that he wanted to beat the thief up. Well you better learn how to fight before you start challenging people, Martin reportedly told him at the time. In addition to being a Police Officer Martin also trained young boxers. Ali started working with Martin to learn how to box and soon began his boxing career. In his first amateur bout in 1954 he won the fight by a split decision. Ali went on to win the 1956 Golden Gloves tournament for movies in the light heavy weight. Three years later he won the National Golden Gloves Tournament of champions as well as the Amateur Athletic Union National Title for light heavy weight.