Muhammad Ali
Short History Of...
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Cassius Clay vs Sonny Liston
Ali was introduced to the nation of Islam while he was still in high school. His father had told him that black people were never going to get a fair shake in this country and that he had no chance. Clay has been seen with both Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X, the promoters of the big fight. Fair ticket sales will bomb if the connection is confirmed. The fixture might even be cancelled. Members of the Louisville sponsorship group warn their protege that it could end his career. For now, everyone works to keep it quiet for as long as possible, and the match does go ahead. Sonny Liston refuses to come out of his corner to fight the seventh round and Clay wins.
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