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Muhammad Ali

Cassius Clay Changes His Name to Muhammad Ali

Season 1 Episode 2 | 3m 50s

After the heavyweight champion grows close with Malcolm X, he announces to reporters that he's renounced the name Clay, citing it as a slave name, and has instead taken on the name Cassius X. Concerned that Cassius would stray from the Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad offers him a new name to secure his allegiance: Muhammad Ali.

Corporate funding for MUHAMMAD ALI was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by David M. Rubenstein. Major funding was also provided by The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by The Better Angels Society and by its members Alan and Marcia Docter; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Tudor Jones; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Gilchrist and Amy Berg; The Brooke Brown Barzun Philanthropic Foundation, The Owsley Brown III Philanthropic Foundation and The Augusta Brown Holland Philanthropic Foundation; Perry and Donna Golkin; John and Leslie McQuown; John and Catherine Debs; Fred and Donna Seigel; Susan and John Wieland; Stuart and Joanna Brown; Diane and Hal Brierley; Fiddlehead Fund; Rocco and Debby Landesman; McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Mauree Jane and Mark Perry; and Donna and Richard Strong.
Extras
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Round Four: The Spell Remains (1974-2016)
Muhammad Ali shocks the world by defeating George Foreman and becomes world famous.
Episode: S1 E4 | 1:39:49
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Fighting Words Before the Thrilla in Manila
Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier prepare for their third fight, the Thrilla in Manila.
Clip: S1 E4 | 1:29
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Muhammad Ali is Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease
Upon retiring from boxing, Ali was forced to confront his deteriorating health.
Clip: S1 E4 | 3:03
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Round Three: The Rivalry (1970 - 1974)
Muhammad Ali returns from exile and twice faces his greatest rival, Joe Frazier.
Episode: S1 E3 | 1:50:20
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The Supreme Court Overturns Muhammad Ali's Conviction
In a shocking decision, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned Ali's conviction.
Clip: S1 E3 | 7:38
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Muhammad Ali's devotion to Islam grows, and in 1989 he makes a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Clip: S1 E4 | 2:14
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Preparing for The Rumble in the Jungle
Muhammad Ali arrives to praise in Kinshasa where he would soon fight George Foreman.
Clip: S1 E4 | 4:03
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Muhammad Ali Fights Cleveland 'Big Cat' Williams
Muhammad Ali takes on Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas.
Clip: S1 E2 | 2:12
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Muhammad Ali
Round Two: What's My Name? (1964-1970)
Muhammad Ali is banished from boxing for refusing induction into the Army.
Episode: S1 E2 | 1:54:43
Watch • 6:15
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Outlash Follows Muhammad Ali's Criticism of the Vietnam War
Muhammad Ali faces outlash after condemning the Vietnam War.
Clip: S1 E2 | 6:15
Latest Episodes
Watch • 1:39:49
Muhammad Ali
Round Four: The Spell Remains (1974-2016)
Muhammad Ali shocks the world by defeating George Foreman and becomes world famous.
Episode: S1 E4 | 1:39:49
Watch • 1:50:20
Muhammad Ali
Round Three: The Rivalry (1970 - 1974)
Muhammad Ali returns from exile and twice faces his greatest rival, Joe Frazier.
Episode: S1 E3 | 1:50:20
Watch • 1:54:43
Muhammad Ali
Round Two: What's My Name? (1964-1970)
Muhammad Ali is banished from boxing for refusing induction into the Army.
Episode: S1 E2 | 1:54:43
Watch • 2:09:25
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Round One: The Greatest (1942-1964)
Cassius Clay rises from boastful amateur boxer to contender for the heavyweight title.
Episode: S1 E1 | 2:09:25