“Howes’ Illnesses of the Famous: Mohammed Ali”
Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., aka Mohammed Ali, was born in Louisville, Ky. in1942, and went on to become one of the most famous people in the world, even though his protest as a conscientious objector shielded him from being drafted into the American military and to his being labeled, by some, as a “draft dodger.” Ultimately, he became known as “The Greatest.” As a kid, Ali was coaxed into boxing by a police officer who had witnessed Mohammed’s astonishing rage after the 12 year old had his bicycle stolen and promised to “whup whoever stole it.” Ali channeled his rage and became a very capable boxer, winning many Golden Glove matches in the 1950s and 1960s and a Summer Olympics gold medal. Following a number of racial incidents, one in a “whites-only” restaurant, Ali threw the gold medal into the Ohio River. In 1967, Sonny Liston refused to leave his corner in the seventh round, making Ali the heavyweight world champion. Today’s rumors are that the mafia “fixed” this fight. After the Liston fight, Ali announced he had become a Black Muslim and changed his name to Mohammed Ali. He said, “I ain’t got no quarrel with those Vietcong.”
