Muhammad Ali: refused soldierMuhammad Ali is a former American boxer, triple world heavyweight champion. He was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. Once he joined the Nation of Islam, he changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Later in life, he was stripped of his heavyweight title for refusing to enlist in the military and serve in the Vietnam War. On April 28, 1967, Muhammad Ali refused to be inducted into the army in Houston, Texas. it was then that the New York Boxing Commission suspended his boxing license and stripped him of his title. That day he said, "Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on the colored people in Vietnam while the so- saying Black people from Louisville? I learned so much about him and his status. stand up for what you believe in, even if you lose everything. I also learned that your religion is very important and that you should never put anything before it. I used to think of him as a man who bragged about how good he was, like Floyd “Money” Mayweather. Muhammad Ali is a much deeper person than I ever imagined. I now know that he is a true pioneer who opened many doors for African Americans and all those whose religious beliefs opposed the killing of their followers. http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/May-June-08/On-this-Day--Muhammad-Ali-Convicted-of-Draft-Evasion.html he has lectured in Muslim universities and schools. rallies across the United States and gained support as anti-war sentiment grew. Lacking the ability to work outside of what he knew best, he began speaking at colleges and universities to pay his bills. Sometimes (as you'll see near the end of the clip below), he was accosted during his speaking engagements by angry white students who thought he should go fight in Vietnam. Ali did something no sports professional has done before or since: he refused to go to war while he was in prison. He remained out of prison while his case was appealed and returned to the ring on October 26, 1970, knocking out Jerry Quarry in Atlanta in the third round. On March 8, 1971, Ali fought Joe Frazier in the "Fight of the Century" and lost after 15 rounds, the first defeat of his professional boxing career. On June 28 of the same year, the United States Supreme Court overturned his conviction for evading