Kentucky native who won gold in light heavyweight boxing at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Brash and confident, he challenges professional heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. Despite being a heavy underdog at age 22, he shocks the world by defeating Liston via technical knockout in February 1964 to become the new heavyweight champion.
Clay exhibits intense self-confidence that borders on self-worship.
Clay initiates the title fight by formally challenging the reigning champion.
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