When did Muhammad Ali start boxing?

The Early Years 

Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Clay on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, one of two brothers.

He was named after his father Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr., but later denounced his “slave name” in 1964.

Growing up, he struggled with his school studies due to being dyslexic. He also found difficulties being raised in racial segregation where his mother, Odessa, recalled when he was refused a bottle of water from a store, “They wouldn’t give him one because of his colour. That really affected him.”

He was also shaken to the core over the horrific death of Emmett Till, who was a similar age to young Cassius when he was murdered by a lynch mob.

All this frustration was building within the young man, who was growing up tall and strong.

One day, a Louisville police officer and boxing coach, Joe E. Martin, encountered the angry 12-year-old as he was fuming over a thief that had stolen his bicycle. Enraged, he told the officer that he was going to “lick” and “whup” the thief. The friendly officer simply told him that he had better learn how to box first!

Initially, young Cassius didn’t take him up on his offer, but after watching amateur boxers on a TV show called ‘Tomorrow’s Champions’, he became interested in the sport.

So, he first began boxing as an amateur at the age of 12. He began to train with coach Fred Stoner, who he credits for giving him “real training” and moulding “my style, my stamina and my system”.

Not long after first lacing his gloves, Clay made his amateur boxing debut on November 12, 1954, at the age of 12, at the WAVE-TV Studio in Louisville, against local lad Ronnie O’Keefe, which he won via split decision. All the bouts were televised, so his very first fight was broadcast on TV.

Eight months later, he defeated unbeaten John Hampton via split decision, but just six days later they fought again, and Clay was defeated for the first time.

The other four fighters to beat him on the amateurs were Donnie Hall; Terry Hodge (stopped on a cut); Kent Green; Amos Johnson.

He went on to win six Kentucky Golden Gloves; two Chicago Golden Gloves; two Intercity Golden Gloves; two National Golden Gloves; two U.S. National Championships; Amateur Athletic Union title; culminating in the gold medal at the Rome 1960 Olympics.

The winners of the 1960 Olympic medals for light heavyweight boxing//Getty Images

He won gold at light-heavyweight, however, and not heavyweight. This is because in the Olympic heavyweight trials, he lost to Percy Price, a marine from Salem, New Jersey. So, he competed in the light-heavyweight trials instead.

The Olympic gold medal was his crowning glory that made him a national hero, but not long after he threw it into the Ohio River after he and his friend were refused service at a whites-only restaurant.

For the last four years of his amateur career, he was trained by Chuck Bodak and hung up his vest with a record of 100-5.

Legacy

Still named Cassius Clay, he made his pro debut at the age of 18 against Tunney Morgan Hunsaker, a Police Chief from Kentucky, winning via unanimous decision over six rounds.

Less than four years later, Clay defeated the fearsome Sonny Liston in his 20th pro bout to be crowned WBA, WBC, NYSAC, Ring Magazine world heavyweight champion.

Muhammad Ali would fight on for a further 20 years and retire as a three-time World, Lineal and Ring Magazine heavyweight champion.

He single-handedly transcended the sport with his unique style and skill inside the ring, but also for his entertaining character and personality outside of the ropes.

As a 12-year-old novice, walking into that boxing club in his local area for the first time ever, he never could have imagined what his life would eventually become.

Or did he… “I am the greatest! I said that even before I knew I was.”