knowledge that he had become a Muslim. Adding to America's aversion to this was the stance he took as a conscientious objector to America's involvement in the war in Vietnam. He refused to cooperate with the draft, and as a result, in May of 1967, he was stripped of his title and boxing license by the World Boxing Association and charged for violating the Selective Service Act by the government. He told the press, "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet-Cong. No Viet-Cong ever called me nigger." "Patriotic" boxing fans and sports journalists participated in a tremendous outcry against him. Reflecting upon this period, Jack Olsen explained in Sports Illustrated, "The noise became a din, the drumbeats of a holy war. TV and radio commentators, little old ladies...bookmakers, and parish priests, armchair strategists at the Pentagon and politicians all over the place joined in a crescendo of get-Cassius clamor." Ali commented to Sports Illustrated's Edwin Shrake, "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." Sentenced to five years in prison and released on appeal, Ali's conviction was overturned three years later. Ali returned to the ring. His first fight after the Supreme Court decision was against Jerry Quarry in November of 1970 in Atlanta. Ali won by knocking out Quarry in the third round. After the reinstatement of his New York license, Ali fought Joe Frazier, the reigning heavyweight champion, in New York in March of 1971. Ali lost this fighthis first defeat as a professionaland Frazier retained the title. By the end of his career, Ali had fought Joe Frazier twice more. These three bouts have been one of the most widely discussed series in the sport because of their intensity and duration. In 1974 Ali avenged his loss to Frazier with a unanimous decision victory. This retaliation did not earn Ali the title, howeve...
