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• Muhammad Ali
  Muhammad Ali

  noun

  original name Cassius ( Marcellus ) Clay. born 1942, US boxer, who was world heavyweight champion three times (1964–67; 1974–78; 1978)
• Ali, Muhammad
  Ali, Muhammad

  An African-American boxer of the twentieth century, who was world champion in the heavyweight class for several years between 1964 and 1979. He was known in his boxing career for his flamboyant personality and aggressive self-promotion, as well as for his superior boxing ability and style. His boxing strategy, he said, was to “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.” A Black Muslim, Ali was originally named Cassius Clay. After he refused for reasons of conscience to serve in the armed forces in the 1960s, several boxing associations revoked his title as world champion, but he regained it later. During his boxing career he was extremely popular in Africa, and after his retirement he traveled there as a goodwill ambassador.

Muhammad Ali

British  

/ ˈælɪ, ɑːˈliː, ˈɑːlɪ /

noun

1. original name Cassius ( Marcellus ) Clay. born 1942, US boxer, who was world heavyweight champion three times (1964–67; 1974–78; 1978)

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Ali, Muhammad Cultural  

1. An African-American boxer of the twentieth century, who was world champion in the heavyweight class for several years between 1964 and 1979. He was known in his boxing career for his flamboyant personality and aggressive self-promotion, as well as for his superior boxing ability and style. His boxing strategy, he said, was to “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.” A Black Muslim, Ali was originally named Cassius Clay. After he refused for reasons of conscience to serve in the armed forces in the 1960s, several boxing associations revoked his title as world champion, but he regained it later. During his boxing career he was extremely popular in Africa, and after his retirement he traveled there as a goodwill ambassador.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Muhammad Ali Ali, Muhammad

George Foreman and Muhammad Ali climbed off the couch too many times to mention.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

My heroes when I was a kid were Dr. J and Muhammad Ali; those were my two heroes.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026

Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali and a professional boxer in his own right, also railed against the reforms.

From Barron's ● Apr. 22, 2026

“We are bringing together two warring sides,” said Muhammad Ali, a veteran Pakistani security expert.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 11, 2026

One thing he loved talking about, though, was how Muhammad Ali didn't have to fight in the war.

From "When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds

In April, the ICC opened its first trial dealing with Darfur crimes in the case of alleged Janjaweed leader Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman.

From Reuters ● Jul. 13, 2023

Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, denies charges of committing crimes against humanity.

From BBC ● Apr. 26, 2022

Lonnie Ali, Muhammad Ali’s widow, and Sports Illustrated’s editorial staff help select the honorees each year.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 29, 2018

Steve E. Wright, assistant district attorney for Fresno County, says the case against Kori Ali Muhammad will likely be submitted to his office Thursday.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 19, 2017

Abu Ali Muhammad bin-al Mustanir bin Ahmad, generally known by the name of Kutrub, was also a grammarian and philologist, and wrote books and treatises on these subjects, as also on natural history.

From Arabic Authors A Manual of Arabian History and Literature by Arbuthnot, F. F.