This Day, That Year: Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali, Why The Boxing Legend Decided On His New Name

“I am Muhammad Ali, a free name – it means beloved of God, and I insist people use it when people speak to me,” said the legendary champion heavyweight boxer in 1964. Named Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr after his father, the boxing legend denounced his birth name a few weeks after his victory to adopt a Muslim name. Reportedly, it was in the year 1961, Ali attended his first NOI meeting and went on to be a part of many meetings with the African American Islamic religious movement. Ali’s managers believed his association with NOI would jeopardize his career, however that didn't let come in the way of his growth as a boxer as well as political leader.