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“I am the greatest,” declared Muhammad Ali and it is impossible to disagree with him. And not only the greatest boxer of all time but one of the most charismatic and best recognised celebrities across the world.
Born Cassius Clay, he became a Golden Gloves champion in 1959 and an Olympic champion the following year. He made his professional debut on October 29, 1960, winning a six-round bout over Tunney Hunsaker. Ali won all of his bouts in the 1960s, the majority of them by knockout.