Muhammad Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.)

The World Champion, Muhammad Ali (http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Muhammad-Ali-The-Champion-Posters_i6410300_.htm)

In what words do you describe a hero? Most people describe a hero as a courageous, humble, and respectful people. In a time when racism was spiraling to its peak, Muhammad Ali was born January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. "Muhammad Ali, the only professional boxer to win the heavyweight championship three times, with his outspoken political and religious views, has provided leadership and an example for African American men and women around the world."(http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/?userGroupName=powa9245) Muhammad Ali has been to a lot of places, even as an amateur boxer, like the Amateur Athletic Union championship and the summer Olympics both in the 1960's. He has also been the torch lighter for the Atlanta Centennial Olympics for the years of 1964, 1977, and 1978. Those are only a few of Ali's accomplishments in his career of boxing, but there are a lot more things to explore throughout his life as you read on. Muhammad Ali is a hero because he shows hard work and determination pays off, even when someone comes from a poor background.

Muhammad Ali Knockout (http://pdxretro.com/tag/muhammad-ali/)

"Muhammad Ali crushed his opponents, winning himself another gold medal as a light heavyweight, in the Rome Olympics of 1960." (http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/evans/his135/events/ali98.htm#Background) "Ali often proclaimed his invincibility in verse and boasted, "I am the greatest!" (http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/evans/his135/events/ali98.htm#Background) Ali defeated all of his first opponents after turning pro. Soon he had fought and knocked out Sonny Liston in the seventh round, therefore becoming the new heavyweight champion. Ali had defended his title from 1965 through 1967, thus being recognized as the world heavyweight champion after outpointing the W.B.A. champion, Ernie Terrell, in fifteen rounds on February 6, 1967.

Famous quote from Muhammad Ali (http://pdxretro.com/tag/muhammad-ali/)

"Ali worked his way through a string of pro victories, employing a style that combined speed with devastating punching power, described by one of his handlers as the ability to "float like a butterfly, and sting like a bee."(http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/?userGroupName=powa9245) "Ali's flamboyant style of boasting, rhyming, and outspoken self promotion garnered enough media attention as he moved toward a chance to contend for the world heavyweight boxing championship."(http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/?userGroupName=powa9245) This led to a contract with a twelve member group of millionaires called the Louisville Sponsors Group, the most lucrative contract negotiated by a professional in the history of boxing. When he began to write poems predicting the outcome of his many bouts he became known by another name, "The Louisville Lip."

That shows why Muhammad Ali is a hero. He doesn't quit which shows determination, and he prepares himself very well which shows hard work. Muhammad Ali inspires me and others because he shows that if you work very hard and never give up, then you could achieve anything.