March 6 will be remembered as a pivotal day in the lives of two of boxing’s biggest names. A look through the history books reveals momentous events for both Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson happened to both men on this day.
In 1964, Cassius Clay, who was the reigning World Heavyweight Champion announced that he was changing his name to Muhammad Ali and converting to Islam. Two weeks before this Ali had become the youngest boxer to take the World Heavyweight Title from the reigning champion, Sonny Liston. After turning professional in 1960, while boxing as Cassius Clay, had amassed a 19-0 record and 15 knockouts before earning his shot at Liston.
Following on from the announcement, Ali continued his undefeated record, winning a rematch with Sonny Liston by knockout and a further eight fights in the USA, England, Canada and Germany. Despite some organisations stripping Ali of his World Title due to his conversion to Islam, he continued to dominate fights and draw plenty of media attention for his confident proclamations.
Exactly three years after his name change, Ali experienced another major event on March 6 when he was ordered by selective service to be inducted into service for the Vietnam War. Ali was famously opposed to fighting in the war and refused to serve after conscription as a conscientious objector. Having been denied an exemption under that category a criminal case found him guilty however appeals went up the court system all the way to the Supreme Court over the next few years.
His boxing career was placed on hiatus as a result of his refusal to serve, with boxing licenses withdrawn across the United States and his titles being stripped. After three and a half years away from the ring, Ali returned to boxing in late 1970 and his conviction would eventually be overturned. He suffered his first loss to Joe Frazier in 1971 but would still go on to win multiple Heavyweight titles and participate in some of the biggest, most famous fights in boxing history.
On this same day, 21 years after Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali and 18 years after Ali was drafted into Vietnam, the career of one of the most famous boxers began in Albany, New York. Mike Tyson defeated Hector Mercedes through a first round knockout kick starting a career that would see him win 50 of his 58 career bouts.
On this day in 1964 boxing’s Heavyweight Champion announced he was changing his name and converting to Islam, three years before he would be drafted to serve in Vietnam. His refusal to join would alter the course of his career and cement his status as a social icon as well as sporting. 1985 saw one of the most successful and controversial boxing careers begin with Mike Tyson winning his first professional bout.