at he carried to the ring.Ali was the greatest to everyone until May of 1967 when he refused to induct himself into the United States military due to his religious beliefs during the peak of the Vietnam War. Ali told a Sports Illustrated reporter, “I’m giving up my title, my wealth, maybe my future. Many great men have been tested for their religious beliefs. If I pass this test, I’ll come out stronger than ever.” The undefeated (29-0) boxing champ was stripped of his heavyweight title and sentenced to a five year prison term, which was appealed and later overturned three years later. Nevertheless, Ali was now considered by many of his former supporters to be an unpatriotic coward and a disgrace to the U.S. In 1970, Ali began fighting once again and knocked out Jerry Quarry in the third round. Ali’s victory was a symbol of release and freedom, and with this win, he regained the respect of those who had once turned against him. After an astounding 31-0 record Ali had a chance to attain the title that had been stripped of him almost four years ago, but lost his first professional career fight to Joe Frazier on March 8, 1971. Ali regained the title three years later with a knockout of George Foreman in the eighth round of a stellar performance in Zaire. Late in his career, Ali would once again cough up the title in a punishing loss to Leon Spinks. Exactly seven months later on September 15, 1978, Ali would prevail over Spinks to become the only fighter to ever win the heavyweight crown three separate times. In 1979, Ali retired with a 56-3 record, only to return to boxing in 1980-1981 to lose his final two matches. Ali officially retired in December of 1981.Muhammad Ali also faced another test late in his boxing career that will affect him for the rest of his life. In 1984, Ali was diagnosed as suffering from a series of symptoms known as “punch drunk” syndrome which is characterized by parkinsoni...
