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Today in Sports History: September 5

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 3: Muhammad Ali and Vladi Divac during half time of the gold medal game against Yugoslavia after receiving the gold medal, which replaces the 1960 gold medal he lost on August 3, 1996 at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Georgia. IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch presented the medal to Ali. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Jonah Sharf

On September 5, 1960, Cassius Clay, who later earned even more fame as Muhammad Ali, won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the Olympics in Rome. Clay didn’t lose a single round in his way to the gold medal, winning either by stoppage or by 5-0 decision in every match. Soon after, Clay went professional and changed his name to Ali, and went on to have one of the greatest boxing careers of all time. He first won the WBC, Ring magazine, and lineal heavyweight titles at 22 years old in what was considered a massive upset against Sonny Liston. Over his boxing career he compiled a 56-5 record, with 37 knockouts. He was and is considered by many, including himself, to be the greatest boxer of all time.

 

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