“Cassius Clay is a slave name,” he said. “I didn’t choose it and I don’t want it.’
Shortly after Cassius Clay knocked-out Sonny Liston to earn his first world heavyweight championship title, he announced he was converting to Islam and becoming a member of Nation of Islam (NOI).
A few weeks after his victory he adopted a Muslim name
NOI leader Elijah Muhammad — who would become the surrogate father to Ali — was the one who announced the man formerly known as Cassius Clay was to be called “Muhammad Ali.”
Though Ali’s managers thought his relationship with the NOI would jeopardize his career, he didn’t let that stop him from continuing to grow as a boxer as well as political leader.
“I am Muhammad Ali, a free name – it means beloved of God, and I insist people use it when people speak to me,” declared the late Muhammad Ali in 1964.
"IMPOSSIBILITY IS NOTHING" Muhammad Ali....
May your soul rest in peace...
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