Cassius Clay, known as Muhammad Ali after he became a Black Muslim in 1964, has more than 50 victories on his record. But some of his biggest battles took place outside the ring.

There were many obstacles in the career of this extraordinary boxer: the color of his skin, his decision to join the Black Muslims, and his stand against the Vietnam war. When he refused to be drafted on April 28, 1967, he lost his boxing license, forfeited his world title, and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Ali tried every legal method to regain his status as a professional boxer, including 72 appeals in several states, but he was not granted another license until September 28, 1970, when his sentence was overturned.

Overcoming what seemed insurmountable odds, he became "number one" again and regained the World Championship on October 30, 1974, in Kinshasa, by knocking out George Foreman in the eighth round. A year later he earned the largest purse in the history of boxing—$ 6 million with a 14-round TKO of his arch-rival Joe Frazier. After the fight some people said the champ had lost some of his lightning speed, his fancy legwork, and his power. But no one could deny that Muhammad Ali was still one of the greatest heavyweight boxers the world has ever known.

MUHAMMAD ALI Born Jan. 17, 1942, in Louisville, Ky.

AWARDS AND RECORDS
Golden Gloves: 1959 and 1960
1960 OG: gold medal, light-heavyweight
World Championship Title: Feb. 25, 1964, beating Sonny Liston in the sixth round
Notable victories over Archie Moore, Oscar Bonavena, Bob Foster, George Foreman, Henry Cooper, Sonny Liston, Floyd Patterson, George Chuvalo, Jerry Quarry, Joe Frazier, and Ken Norton
Forfeited title on March 28, 1967, when his professional license was withdrawn after conviction on draft refusal; conviction later overturned
Regained World Title on October 30, 1974, knocking out George Foreman in the 8th round
Two defeats: March 8, 1971, Joe Frazier, by decision March 31, 1973, Ken Norton, by decision

Photo: Ali after a workout