Muhammad All’s birth name was Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. He was born in Louisville Kentucky on January 17th 1942. 
His father, Cassius Clay Sr worked as a sign painter and his mother Odessa worked as a maid. Young Cassius had a younger brother named Rudy. The Clays weren't rich, but they weren't poor either. During the time Cassius grew up, southern states like Kentucky were segregated by race. This meant that there were different facilities such as schools, restaurants, swimming pools, and restrooms for black people and white people. Laws called Jim Crow Laws enforced this separation and made life difficult on African Americans like Cassius. Becoming a Boxer When Cassius was twelve years old, someone stole his bike. He was very angry. He told a police officer that he was going to beat up the person who stole it. It turned out that the officer, Joe Martin, was a boxing coach. Joe told Cassius that he better learn how to fight before he tried beating anyone up. Cassius took Joe up on his offer and was soon learning how to box. Cassius discovered that he had a real talent for boxing. He was much faster than other fighters his size. He could throw a quick punch and then dodge out of the way before the other fighter could react. He fought 105 fights as an amateur fighter, winning 100 and only losing 5. He also won several Gold Glove championships and was soon considered one of the best amateur light-heavyweight boxers in the world. The Olympics In 1960, Cassius travelled to Rome, Italy to participate in the Olympics. He defeated all his opponents to win the Gold Medal. Upon returning home, Cassius was an American hero. He decided to turn to professional boxing.
His father, Cassius Clay Sr worked as a sign painter and his mother Odessa worked as a maid. Young Cassius had a younger brother named Rudy. The Clays weren't rich, but they weren't poor either. During the time Cassius grew up, southern states like Kentucky were segregated by race. This meant that there were different facilities such as schools, restaurants, swimming pools, and restrooms for black people and white people. Laws called Jim Crow Laws enforced this separation and made life difficult on African Americans like Cassius. Becoming a Boxer When Cassius was twelve years old, someone stole his bike. He was very angry. He told a police officer that he was going to beat up the person who stole it. It turned out that the officer, Joe Martin, was a boxing coach. Joe told Cassius that he better learn how to fight before he tried beating anyone up. Cassius took Joe up on his offer and was soon learning how to box. Cassius discovered that he had a real talent for boxing. He was much faster than other fighters his size. He could throw a quick punch and then dodge out of the way before the other fighter could react. He fought 105 fights as an amateur fighter, winning 100 and only losing 5. He also won several Gold Glove championships and was soon considered one of the best amateur light-heavyweight boxers in the world. The Olympics In 1960, Cassius travelled to Rome, Italy to participate in the Olympics. He defeated all his opponents to win the Gold Medal. Upon returning home, Cassius was an American hero. He decided to turn to professional boxing. 
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