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Graeme Turner's work on how celebrities can be symptoms of of cultural change relates to the struggles of Muhammad Ali and how he tries to cultivate change within the black community.

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The chapter within this book studies the way in which stars obtain their star image throughout their careers and how it can change based off their actions and the media can affect affect their star persona. This directly correlates to Muhammad Ali and his battle with the media and how his star image moulded and changed throughout his life.

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Stars such as Will Smith and Mike Tyson carry his coffin.

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Muhammad Ali Funeral | Will Smith, Mike Tyson, & Others Carry Ali's Casket

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On June 3rd 2016 Muhammad Ali died. He died aged 74 from septic shock. Thousands turned up to his funeral to mourn the death of a man that had effected so many and stood up for the freedom of others. Upon his death he was the number one trending topic on Twitter for 12 hours and he was the same on Facebook but for several days instead, which truly shows the impact he had on a global stage.

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Bush gives Medal of Freedom  to Greenspan, Muhammad Ali

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He retired as Heavyweight Champion of the World.

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Michael J. Fox On Muhammad Ali’s Impact On Parkinson’s Disease | TODAY

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18. Ali receives two medals from George W. Bush

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18. Ali receives two medals from George W. Bush

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Ali was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Presidential Citizens Medal. Ali was finally receiving the credit for his actions. The medals were the two highest ranked civilian awards he could receive. He received them for his work with the US civil rights movement and the united nations. The medals received finally acknowledge what Muhammad Ali and gave him gratification for standing up for what he believed in. This cemented his role not only as an inspiration to people but as a national emblem around the world..

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17. Muhammad Ali is diagnosed with Parkinson's

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17. Muhammad Ali is diagnosed with Parkinson's

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In 1984 Muhammad Ali is diagnosed with Parkinson's subject to his boxing career and due to the severe head trauma. However, he joined up with Michael J Fox to raise awareness for Parkinson's and to try and find a cure. Again showing his undying willingness to do the right thing.

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"Impossible is not a declaration, it's a dare."
-Muhammad Ali

Ali's story

Muhammad Ali's Parkinson Disease (PD) could be, in part, attributed to boxing-related injuries. In the early days after his diagnosis, it was said that he began showing signs of PD after his retirement from boxing in 1981, ranging from tremors to slurred speech.

An overview of PD

Parkinson Disease is a movement disorder related to the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells and such symptoms as tremor, rigidity or stiffness; bradykinesia or slowness of movement; and unstable gait, balance and/or coordination. These symptoms increase over time, interfering with daily activities like grooming and eating and even mood disorders like depression or non-motor issues such as insomnia. PD impacts more than 1 million Americans and an estimated 10 million worldwide.Parkinson Disease (PD) is a movement disorder related to the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells and such symptoms as tremor, rigidity or stiffness; bradykinesia or slowness of movement; and unstable gait, balance and/or coordination. These symptoms increase over time, interfering with daily activities like grooming and eating and even mood disorders like depression or non-motor issues such as insomnia. PD impacts more than 1 million Americans and an estimated 10 million worldwide.

One cannot help but wonder what Ali thought when he was first diagnosed in 1984. A man who meant so much to so many, who was idolized around the world, and given a diagnosis that would change his life forever. One cannot help but think that maybe, just maybe, his positive outlook and kindness made it possible for him to live for 32 years with PD. For as long as he was able, he stayed in the public eye, sometimes doing things to make you forget that he was ever a boxer.

Indeed, Ali did not go away and hide.

What many Americans will remember the most was Muhammad Ali's surprise appearance at the Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics, where he lit the Olympic Torch.

But he did so much more.

In 1997, Ali and others established The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center (MAPC) and Movement Disorder Clinic.

Around 1998, Ali teamed up with actor and fellow PD patient Michael J. Fox (diagnosed in 1991) to raise awareness and fund research for a cure. They appeared before Congress together and Ali promoted the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Fox and Ali went on to film a Public Service Announcement (PSA) together.

About Ali, Fox recently said in a statement, "Muhammad was a true legend - a champion in the boxing ring, and a champion for millions of Parkinson's families. We looked up to him as an example of grace and courage in the face of great challenges. He will be missed."

Ali actively participated in the making and promotion of his 2001 biopic, Ali. In 2002, he served as a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

As his condition progressed, his public appearances were limited. But, in July 2012, Ali attended the London 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremonies, helping to bear the Olympic Flag.

His wife, Lonnie, proved to be a model caretaker. Interviewed in Arizona just a month before his death, she stated, "I learn every day from this man: the courage, the strength and the grace that he lives with his illness. For most people, it would put them in bed and put covers over them. They would give up. He does not stop. He continues to live life and that's very important."

"I learn every day from this man: the courage, the strength and the grace that he lives with his illness. For most people, it would put them in bed and put covers over them. They would give up. He does not stop. He continues to live life and that's very important."

The last two years of his life, Ali was reportedly hospitalized for pneumonia and a urinary tract infection. When he died, he was hospitalized with a respiratory illness, though his condition quickly deteriorated and led to his death from septic shock. That condition has likely left much of the PD community with questions.

While Parkinson's itself isn't considered fatal, people can die from complications of the disease. People die with PD but not from PD.

Legacy

In all of Ali's post-boxing career activities, he created a legacy. Ali was the face of PD, positively impacting awareness, research advances, fundraising and inspiring us all.

Over his 32-year battle with PD, new drugs (like Duopa, Rytary, Nuplazid, etc.) and fresh therapies and treatments have been made available, improving life for thousands of PD patients. Some would say finding a cure for PD is becoming a question of when, not if. But what's needed is a continued army of patients and families to help usher on continued progress. Participating in virtual, online and in-person clinical studies is one main way to do so. We still have a strong need to understand the disease more, learn about its causes and how we can cure it.

Ali certainly made his voice heard. He remained engaged, even when he was unable to use his voice. And, as demonstrated by the intense media coverage and the outpouring of emotion, support and tributes, Ali will remain one of the most well-known and recognizable faces the world has ever known.

"I've made my share of mistakes along the way, but if I have changed even one life for the better, I haven't lived in vain."- Muhammad Ali"I've made my share of mistakes along the way, but if I have changed even one life for the better, I haven't lived in vain."- Muhammad Ali

PD patients: Four ways to be inspired by his legacy

Partner with your neurologist

Neurologists are aware that not all PD patients see a specialist, but doing so can really help treat your condition. Gather your medical records, jot down your questions, and, if possible, invite your caretaker and be ready to listen to the experts. They will also refer you to social workers and therapists who can assist with issues of speech, swallowing, exercise, diet, driving and more.

Get moving

Depending on your exact condition, stage and symptoms, PD maybe affect you differently as it progresses. Some people may have only minor movement or non-motor issues, while others may end up with severe disabilities. But there are more and more studies showing that staying physically active can help PD patients. Exercise boosts your energy, maintains muscle tone, helps with strength, improves your overall health and mobility.

Do your part

Clinical trials exist in almost every state, and the more involvement we have by elders and those representing women, minority and rural populations, the better. Call 402.559.8839 for clinical trials going on locally.

Stay social and find hope

Maintain a social network to stay in touch with friends and family. Many PD patients meet with friends, attend religious services, visit family and/or join a PD support group. Contact us at 402.559.8839 for a group list.

It's even recommended that patients join exercise groups for a social benefit. Rock Steady Boxing, a program specifically for PD patients, interestingly uses boxing to inspire PD patients to fight back. The program recognizes that PD patients, like boxers, are in a fight for their life, which, like Ali, gives reasons for many PD patients to have hope. There are sessions held weekly across the state.

For more information, visit the American Parkinson Disease Association. To schedule an appointment at Nebraska Medicine's Movement Disorders Clinic, call 800.922.0000.

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Reflections on Muhammad Ali's Parkinson journey

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Muhammad Ali's Parkinson Disease (PD) could be, in part, attributed to boxing-related injuries. In the early days after his diagnosis, it was said that he began showing signs of PD after his retirement from boxing in 1981, ranging from tremors to slurred speech.

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On June the 27th 1979 Muhammad Ali announced his retirement from boxing having lost only 3 times in 59 fights.

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These three fights encapsulate Ali's star persona perfectly. From a young age Ali always experienced adversity and had to work harder than others to get where he was. The loss of the first fight to Joe Frazier was never going to stop him, he had come back from worse. Being an underdog had never stopped him before and his sheer grit and determination to stay true to himself meant his rise back to the top was inevitable. His battle to return to the top was just like his battle for his rights, he believed he was the best just like he believed in his right as a conscientious objector and no one was going to stop him in achieving his goals. This unwavering belief is what made him a national emblem and an example to all.

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The final fight that cemented Ali as an icon was his third fight with Joe Frazier. There was debate about who was better due to both winning one fight each and this fight would finally settle that score. The fight was considered one of the most brutal fights in boxing history and just before the 15th round Joe Frazier threw the towel in. Ali's original statement "I am the greatest" was all but true.

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On the 30th October 1974 Ali got his shot at the World Title. He was the major underdog with most predicting he would lose comfortably mostly due to being vastly older. In the lead up to the fight Muhammad Ali had played mind games with Foreman claiming he was gonna dance rings around him and mocking him with his way with words. On the night, Ali tormented him in the ring absorbing hits whilst saying "My Grandma punches harder than you do". Ali absorbed this punches tiring him out until round eight when he picked his moment and knocked him out.

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The long awaited rematch of the fight of the century ensured that Ali got his revenge. He beat Frazier comfortably but it was not enough for Ali, he wanted more, he wanted his heavyweight title back which was currently held by George Foreman.

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Muhammad Ali had to wait a few years until he got his shot at the world title again. However, the three fights against Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Joe Frazier again solidified his return to national emblem. This restored his star persona, which was huge culturally, making sure that all his activism was not in vain.

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As you can see in the video above the impact of Muhammad Ali's loss was devastating. Ali had stood for so much and for so many. He was a hero to black people and a huge figure in the movement against the Vietnam war. This once untouchable character had shown weakness and this led to "them" (right wing and racists) believing they were right which had the power for them to halt change for good. Ali's star persona was now in pieces.

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Supreme Court | In Their Own Words: Muhammad Ali | PBS LearningMedia

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Trace the history of Muhammad Ali's draft evasion appeal with the Supreme Court in this excerpt from In Their Own Words: Muhammad Ali. The NAACP sues the New York State Athletic Commission, arguing that the ban on Ali is discriminatory.

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Ali had won. In beginning Ali had unwaveringly denied his call up to the draft standing up for his beliefs, unafraid of the consequences it might entail e.g. Jail. He believed the sacrifice of jail was nothing compared to the needless sacrifice of the black and white Americans in Vietnam. His unwavering attitude to be as authentic and true to himself throughout his life eventually paid off when the Supreme Court ruled in his favour.

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Muhammad Ali | The Supreme Court Overturns Muhammad Ali's Conviction | Episode 3 | PBS

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In a shocking decision, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned Ali's conviction.

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14. The reversal of Ali's conviction by the Supreme Court

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14. The reversal of Ali's conviction by the Supreme Court

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On June 28th 1971 Ali's convictions were finally dropped. The Supreme Court ruled that Ali's stance as a conscientious objector was in fact valid despite the local draft board rejecting this originally. The Supreme Court voted unanimously 8 votes to 0 making Ali a free man.

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Now with Ali's boxing license fully restored a fight, which was labelled as the fight of the century was organised. His opponent was unbeaten boxer Joe Frazier. Ali lost the fight. Ali's god-like image, in the boxing world, was destroyed. Ali had once seemed untouchable but this fight made it clear, he was not.

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The reason for divorce was due to Muhammad Ali's infidelity. His second wife claiming he was a "sex addict".

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Muhammad Ali was a sex addict whose conquests in the bedroom rival those of his victories in the boxing ring, according to his second wife

Khalilah Ali says that after she and the former heavyweight champion married in 1967, she would arrange hotel rooms for her husband's trysts with mistresses

Ali may have been admired by the public for his exploits in the ring, but he had a 'dark' and 'evil' side to him, Khalilah said

Author Jonathan Eig writes in his new biography of the boxing great, Ali: A Life, that the heavyweight champion had countless affairs and one-night stands

Muhammad Ali was a sex addict whose conquests in the bedroom rival his victories in the boxing ring, according to his second wife.

Khalilah Ali, who was born Belinda Boyd, says that after she and the former heavyweight champion married in 1967, she would arrange hotel rooms so her husband can have trysts with his many mistresses.

Khalilah was the boxing legend's second wife. The couple gave birth to four children.

According to excerpts from a new book by author Jonathan Eig, Ali may have been admired by the public for his exploits in the ring, but he had a 'dark' and 'evil' side to him, Khalilah said.

The excerpts were first reported by The Sun newspaper.

Eig writes in his new biography of the boxing great, Ali: A Life, that the heavyweight champion had countless affairs and one-night stands.

The world champ so brazen with his affairs that he even paraded one of his mistresses around during a reception with the president of the Philippines.

Ali was in the Asian country preparing for the 'Thrilla in Manila,' the historic third and final heavyweight bout against Joe Frazier in 1975.

When Ali complimented President Ferdinand Marcos for having a beautiful wife, Marcos replied: 'And so have you.'

The problem was that Ali was being accompanied by Veronica Porche, a 19-year-old actress and model from California.

His wife at the time, Khalila, was at home in the United States.

When she read the remarks in a Newsweek article just before she boarded a flight to Manila, she was furious.

When she arrived in the Philippines, she gave her husband a piece of her mind.

She then stormed out of the hotel in Manila and flew back to the US.

Their marriage would end and Ali would marry Porche, who became his third wife.

In June of last year, Ali died after an agonizing, 30-year struggle with Parkinson's disease.

In his book, Eig also tackles the subject of the boxer's long decline into poor health.

He writes that Ali never harbored any doubts that his brain would be adversely affected by the countless number of vicious blows to the face he received in the boxing ring.

On the contrary, Ali welcomed punches to the head because he believed they made him a more effective boxer.

'He kept saying it wasn't going to happen to him, that he wasn't gonna get brain damage,' Eig told PEOPLE magazine.

'In fact, he encouraged his sparring partners to hit him in the head. He believed he could build up resistance to shots to the head, kind of like calluses.'

Eig writes in his book that Ali's doctor, Ferdie Pacheco, began to notice symptoms of cognitive decline in Ali as early as 1971, when he was just 29 years old.

The author reviewed film of all of Ali's fights and came to the conclusion that the former champ 'was probably hit about 200,000 times' during the course of his 61-bout career.

Eig estimates that half of those blows were to the head.

Ali retired from boxing in 1981.

'He absorbed way more blows than the average fighter because, as he got older and slower, part of his strategy was to allow his opponents to him,' Eig said.

'He thought he could wear down his opponents by letting them punch him in the head, then wait until the late rounds when they're tired and beat them.'

Eig also said that he examined video footage of Ali's speeches and interviews with the aid of speech experts.

The author said they agreed Ali began to show signs he was losing the ability to speak clearly in the early 1970s.

'He absorbed way more blows than the average fighter because, as he got older and slower, part of his strategy was to allow his opponents to him,' says Eig.

'He thought he could wear down his opponents by letting them punch him in the head, then wait until the late rounds when they're tired and beat them.'

Pacheco grew so concerned about Ali's health that he strongly recommended he retire in 1977.

When Ali refused, Pacheco resigned as his doctor.

Ali was diagnosed with what was known at the time as Parkinson's Syndrom, 'a cluster of symptoms that resemble Parkinson's Disease.'

Experts believe the illness was caused by the countless blows to the head.

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Muhammad Ali's second wife reveals how he was a sex addict

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Muhammad Ali was a sex addict whose conquests in the bedroom rival those of his victories in the boxing ring, according to his second wife Khalilah Ali says that after she and the former heavyweight champion married in 1967, she would arrange hotel rooms for her husband's trysts with mistresses

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Ali's case was still on trial after his many appeals and he found a loophole that allowed him to return to the ring. His long awaited return to the ring was against Jerry Quarry who he defeated in the 3rd round. This was the beginning of a return to normality for a man who had been disgraced by the media over the last three years.

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Muhammad Ali vs Jerry Quarry 1 full fight

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Ali married Belinda Boyd who converted to Islam and changed her name. Ali then had for children with her until they eventually divorced in 1977, 10 years later.

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Khalilah 'Belinda' Ali (maiden name - Belinda Boyd) is best known for being the second wife of American boxer Muhammad Ali.

Belinda Boyd and Muhammed Ali were married on August 17, 1967. She was 17 years old when they were married. After the marriage, she changed her name to Khalilah Ali in accordance with Muslim traditions; however, she was still called Belinda by old friends and family. She filed for divorce in 1976 after suffering the humiliation of Muhammad Ali's very open infidelity with Veronica Porsche. The divorce was finalized in 1977. They were married for just under 10 years.

They had four children together; the eldest daughter, Maryum, was born in 1968. Twin daughters, Jamilla and Rasheeda, were born in 1970. Muhammad Ali's only biological son, Muhammad Ali Jr., was born in 1972. (His only other son, Assad, is adopted with fourth wife, Yolanda 'Lonnie' Ali.)

In the movie ALI, starring Will Smith, the role of Khalilah 'Belinda' Ali was played, in her film debut, by Nona Gaye, daughter of soul music legend Marvin Gaye.

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On August 17, 1967, Ali (aged 25) married 17-year old Belinda Boyd. After the wedding, she converted to Islam and changed her name to Khalilah Ali, though she was still called Belinda by old friends and family. They had four children: Maryum (b. 1968), Jamillah and Liban (b.

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Undoubtedly by the end of Muhammad Ali's life he was an icon and this book discusses how he rose to stardom and became a national emblem and the many obstacles along the way.

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Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay) has always engendered an emotional reaction from the public. From his appearance as an Olympic champion to his iconic status as a national hero, his carefully constructed image and controversial persona has always been intensely scrutinized. In Muhammad Ali, Michael Ezra considers the boxer who calls himself "The Greatest" from a new perspective.

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"'Being yourself': the pursuit of authentic celebrity". A constant theme throughout Muhammad Ali's life is his ability to stay true to himself. This academic source discusses the difficulty for celebrities such as Ali to stay authentic in front of the limelight.

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10. The transformation of Muhammad Ali's star persona

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10. The transformation of Muhammad Ali's star persona

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-Activist
-Defeated
-Inspirational
-Authentic
-Criminal
-Controversial
-Political figure
-Fearless
-Unwavering
-Abused

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The refusal of Ali to induct into the US military led to his arrest and eventual conviction. On June 20, 1967, Ali was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay $10,000 in fines for draft evasion. However, Ali managed to avoid prison as he appealed his case.

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Due to his refusal to be drafted into the army Muhammad Ali was stripped of his boxing licence and was unable to gain one for the next three years. He also lost his Heavyweight Champion of the World title and was stripped of his belt as well.

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Although backlash from many for Ali's actions were expected, it was not white people alone that he received criticism from. Jackie Robinson the first black man to play in the major leagues also spoke out against claiming that his actions hurt a lot of the African Americans already out their fighting in Vietnam. He also stated that “the tragedy to me is, Cassius has made millions of dollars off of the American public, and now he’s not willing to show his appreciation to a country that’s giving him, in my view, a fantastic opportunity.”

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Jackie Robinson once criticized Muhammad Ali for his Anti-War Stance...

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As we can see Ali is no longer just a celebrity, his star persona has shifted from the focus of World Heavyweight Champion to someone who is in the limelight for very different reasons. Ali is using his platform to fight for his basic rights and the rights of others whilst inspiring more people to do the same. After the "Black is Best" speech, Marion Jackson, writer of an African American newspaper, wrote that Ali "can be more effective than Stokely Carmichael in firing up a crowd. He is as motivated a pulpiteer as Martin Luther King, Jr." showing the sheer influence that Ali has to be able to compare him with a human rights activist with the stature of Martin Luther King, Jr. In his "I ain't got no quarry with the viet cong" speech Ali goes further than just objecting the war and suggests that Vietnam is not his enemy, but America is. His willingness to speak out inspired many but it also came at great cost to him.

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Muhammad Ali was invited to make a speech at Howard University which became known as his "Black is Best" speech which highlighted the reasons why he believed African Americans had this sense of inferiority in a dialogue that was rife with metaphors and messages. He believed that the white dominated society was the problem stating that they have been brainwashed; "We look at Jesus, we see a white with blond hair and blue eyes. We look at all the angels, we see white with blond hair and blue eyes. Now, I'm sure if there's a heaven in the sky and the colored folks die and go to heaven, where are the colored angels? They must be in the kitchen preparing the milk and honey. We look at Miss America, we see white. We look at Miss World, we see white. We look at Miss Universe, we see white. Even Tarzan, the king of the jungle in black Africa, he's white!" the speech highlighted exactly what was wrong with society at the time. He finished this speech with a song named "A White Man's Heaven is a Black Man's Hell" to reaffirm his beliefs and inspire the crowd.

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muhammad ali howard university - Bing video

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At the time of this speech the Vietnam war was popular amongst Americans, and it angered them to see a black man speak out against with such validity and eloquence. This caused Ali, a man previously held with such prestige amongst Americans, to become one of the most despised men in the USA. Perfectly portrayed by the outlandish and disgraceful words of David Susskind in his interview with Muhammad Ali. During the words of Susskind you can see the defeated look on Ali's face showing the demise of his super-star persona from the confident and fearless Champion of the World to a shadow of the man he once was being belittled on TV in front of the nation.

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Muhammad Ali and Despicable Journalist David Susskind

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“And shoot them for what? They never called me nigger, they never lynched me, they didn’t put no dogs on me, they didn’t rob me of my nationality, rape and kill my mother and father. … Shoot them for what? How can I shoot them poor people? Just take me to jail.”

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i ain’t got no quarry with the viet cong - Bing video

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7. Muhammad Ali refuses induction into the war

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7. Muhammad Ali refuses induction into the war

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On 28th April 1967, Ali, aged 25, arrived in Houston for his scheduled induction into the war. When hearing his name called out, he refused to step forward despite warnings from on officer warning that this felony was punishable by five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. A year before, upon hearing he could be drafted into the army (due to a revised drafting process) he announced himself as a conscientious objector to the war in Vietnam. He believed the teachings of the Holy Qur'an portrayed that he should only go for war for Allah or The Messenger. The refusal of induction into the war sees a complete shift in Ali's star persona. We now have to acknowledge that Muhammad Ali is now not only a boxer but a political symbol for both activists against the war and movement against racism.

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On this date: Ali refuses induction into U.S. Army - ESPN Video

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On April 28, 1967, heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali informs the world that he refuses to fight in the Vietnam War, on the grounds that his Muslim faith prohibited participation.

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The marriage ended in divorce due to Ali's religious beliefs as a Muslim. Sonji did not want to conform to the ways of life of his religion therefore they became incompatible.

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In 1964, months after his heavyweight title win Muhammad Ali married cocktail waitress, Sonji Roi. Although the marriage only lasted two years it allowed people to see there was another side to the Heavyweight Champion of the world and that he could also be a family man.

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Sonji Roi is best known for being the first wife of American boxer Muhammad Ali. She died on October 11, 2005. Ali and Roi married on August 14, 1964, after meeting approximately one month earlier. Roi was working as a cocktail waitress when they met. They divorced on January 10, 1966. Reportedly, Roi's objections to certain Muslim customs in regards to dress for women contributed to the break-up of their marriage. There were no children from this union. In the movie ''Ali'' starring Will Smith, the role of Sonji Roi was played by Will Smith's real-life wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

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Muhammad Ali has been married four times and has seven daughters and two sons. Ali met his first wife, cocktail waitress Sonji Roi, approximately one month before they married on August 14, 1964. Roi's objections to certain Muslim customs in regard to dress for women contributed to the breakup of their marriage.

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First signs of Muhammad Ali becoming an activist for the fight against racism.

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1. Muhammad Ali's introduction to the boxing world

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1. Muhammad Ali's introduction to the boxing world

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Known at this time as Cassius Clay Jr., Muhammad Ali was left seething at the theft of his bike in 1954. He reported the crime to the police claiming he would beat up the person who stole it. The policemen who he reported the crime to, recommended him to Fred Stoner, an African American boxing trainer, hoping that this would give Clay a way to channel his anger.

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3. Cassius Clay Jr. changes his name to Muhammad Ali

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3. Cassius Clay Jr. changes his name to Muhammad Ali

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After joining the nation of Islam in 1964 Clay changes his name to Muhammad Ali. Ali renounced his former name Cassius Clay Jr. as his "Slave name".

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-Confident
-Arrogant
-Poetic
-Articulate
-Eloquent
-Fearless
-Powerful
-Champion
-Authentic

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In the post-fight interview Clay delivered his famous "I am the greatest" speech claiming that he "shook up the world". At this moment he shot to global fame. Clay was now a global superstar with no escape from the public eye.

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Ali won the fight henceforth becoming the Heavyweight Champion of the World.

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On February 25th, 1964, Ali had a shot at the chance to become the Heavyweight Champion of the World. This fight was the first true platform to express his way with words; delivering his famous "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" speech before the fight. This portrayed how Ali had way with words that left him destined for the limelight on a global level.

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Muhammad Ali: Float Like A Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee - Bing video

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Top suggestions for float like a butterfly sting like a beeMuhammad AliFloat Like a ButterflyMuhammad AliSting Like a BeeTop suggestions for float like a butterfly sting like a beeFloat Like a Butterfly Sting Like a BeeSongMumahamed Ali Song FightLike a ButterflyIt Floats Like a Butterflyand Stings…

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Muhammad Ali was beginning his journey to becoming the Heavyweight Champion of the World. At the age of 18 Ali won his first professional boxing match. His bravado and self- promotion gave him the nickname of "Louisville lips".