Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, was an American professional boxer and cultural icon. Born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, he gained fame for his exceptional boxing skills and charismatic personality. Clay won the World Heavyweight Championship in 1964 at the age of 22, becoming the youngest boxer to do so at that time. In addition to his boxing achievements, Ali was known for his strong stance on social issues, including his refusal to be drafted into the military during the Vietnam War. He was stripped of his titles and faced legal battles but later regained his boxing licenses and continued to fight, becoming a symbol of resistance and change.