Muhammad Ali attended Central High School in Louisville, Ky. A D student, Ali graduated 376th out of a class of 391 in 1960, the same year he won the light-heavyweight boxing gold medal at the Athens Olympic Games. He did not go to college.
Born with the name Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., on Jan. 18, 1942, Ali began boxing training at the age of 12. He became heavyweight champion in 1964 when he defeated Sonny Liston by TKO.
Recognized as one of the greatest boxers of all time, Ali's actions outside of the ring, including his racial pride and support for both racial justice and religious freedom, made him one of the most important figures of the 20th century.
