Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, who passed away last Friday due to a respiratory infection, is a character who will be remembered forever. Not only by boxing fans, but by all those people who fight daily to combat racism and abuse within society.

A question that many often ask is: why did Muhammad Ali decide to stop calling himself Cassius Clay? The three-time world heavyweight champion began competing professionally in the 1960s, a time when a series of civil rights movements arose, both in the United States and in various Western countries.

In the midst of this scenario, Cassius Clay began to identify himself with the Nation of Islam. One of the main reasons was his intention to change his name, as several of his fellow countrymen had done. The boxer did not like the idea of ​​bearing the surname of his slave ancestors.

It was then that, after defeating Sonny Liston in 1964, Cassius Clay converted to the religion of Islam, where he adopted the name Muhammad Ali. Three years later, he refused to be drafted by the United States Armed Forces to participate in the Vietnam War, claiming to be Muslim and respecting his beliefs.

"Ask whatever you want about the Vietnam War, I will always have this song for you: 'I have no problems with the Viet Cong, because no Viet Cong has called me a nigger'", said Muhammad Ali at the time, earning the enmity of the United States government.

The decision of Muhammad Ali cost him being labeled as a coward and a traitor to the country. Even the New York Athletic Commission suspended his license to box professionally as a result of this controversy. Not to mention the numerous legal proceedings he had to face.

At that moment, Muhammad Ali chose to visit schools in his country to bring a message of peace and speak out against racism and the Vietnam War. This prompted several athletes and public figures of the time to follow in his footsteps.

In the mid-1970s, the relationship between Muhammad Ali and the United States government improved little by little. However, this did not prevent the legendary boxer from continuing to spread his message of peace, until he was remembered as an icon in his country.

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