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.

WETA Passport

Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.