| 1942 |
Born Cassius Marcellus Clay, January 17, in Louisville, Kentucky |
| 1954 |
Begins boxing |
| 1960 |
Wins gold medal, Rome Olympics, light-heavyweight boxing |
| 1960 |
First professional boxing match, defeats Tunney Hunsacker, October 29 |
| 1963 |
Converts to Islam, inspired by Malcolm X |
| 1964 |
Takes World Heavyweight Championship from Sonny Liston |
| 1964 |
Announces name change, to Muhammad Ali |
| 1964 |
Marries Sonji Roi |
| 1966 |
Divorces Sonji |
| 1966 |
Refuses to go to Vietnam |
| 1967 |
Stripped of boxing license and heavyweight title by New York State Athletic Commission and World Boxing Association, May |
| 1967 |
Convicted of draft-dodging, sentenced to five years in prison (but released on appeal) |
| 1967 |
Marries Belinda Boyd |
| 1970 |
Conviction overturned |
| 1970 |
Returns to the ring, against Jerry Quarry, November |
| 1971 |
Loses to Joe Frazier in title match, February |
| 1974 |
Beats Joe Frazier in rematch, becomes World Heavyweight Champion again |
| 1974 |
Defeats George Foreman in "Rumble in the Jungle" to become World Heavyweight Champion again |
| 1975 |
Defeats Joe Frazier again in "Thrilla in Manilla," often considered the greatest boxing match ever |
| 1976 |
Divorces Belinda |
| 1977 |
Marries Veronica Proche |
| 1978 |
Loses title to Leon Spinks |
| 1978 |
Reclaims title from Leon Spinks in rematch |
| 1979 |
Retires from professional boxing |
| 1980 |
Returns to professional boxing, loses to Larry Holmes in WBC title match |
| 1981 |
In last professional boxing match, loses to Trevor Berbick |
| 1982 |
Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease |
| 1985 |
Visits Lebanon in attempt to secure release of hostages, February |
| 1985 |
Founds World Organization for Right, Liberty and Dignity (WORLD) |
| 1985 |
Divorces Veronica |
| 1986 |
Marries Yolanda "Lonnie" Williams |
| 1990 |
Visits Iraq in successful attempt to secure release of American hostages |
| 1996 |
Chosen to light Olympic Torch in Atlanta |
| 2000 |
Wins WBA title from John Ruiz |
| 2001 |
Establishes Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville, Kentucky |
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