Muhammad Ali

Cassius Clay Changes His Name to Muhammad Ali

After the heavyweight champion grows close with Malcolm X, he announces to reporters that he's renounced the name Clay, citing it as a slave name, and has instead taken on the name Cassius X. Concerned that Cassius would stray from the Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad offers him a new name to secure his allegiance: Muhammad Ali.

Cassius Clay Changes His Name to Muhammad Ali

3m 50s

  • Round Four: The Spell Remains (1974-2016): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Round Four: The Spell Remains (1974-2016)

    S1 E4 - 1h 39m

    Muhammad Ali shocks the world by defeating George Foreman, winning back the heavyweight title and becoming the most famous man on earth. After retiring in 1981, he travels the world spreading his Islamic faith, and becomes a symbol of peace and hope.

  • Round Three: The Rivalry (1970 - 1974): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Round Three: The Rivalry (1970 - 1974)

    S1 E3 - 1h 50m

    Muhammad Ali battles his fiercest rival, Joe Frazier, and the U.S. government, as he attempts to regain the heavyweight title. He first loses to and then defeats Frazier, but to become champion again, he will have to beat George Foreman.

  • Round Two: What's My Name? (1964-1970): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Round Two: What's My Name? (1964-1970)

    S1 E2 - 1h 54m

    Cassius Clay publicly joins the Nation of Islam and takes the name Muhammad Ali. When he refuses induction into the Army, he is stripped of his title and forced into exile. After three years he returns to the ring, but he’s lost a step.

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