Ten years after he took up boxing, Clay beat the reigning world heavyweight champion, Sonny Liston, to win his first title.
Liston had tremendous hitting power in both hands and his presence in the ring was an intimidating factor. He had dispatched the earlier champion, Floyd Patterson, twice in quick time so no one gave the youngster any chance of winning.
But Clay was just too quick for Liston, whom he called 'the big ugly bear.'
If no one believed him earlier, Clay now had good reason to declare he was 'The Greatest.'
Soon after his first triumph, he converted to Islam and gave up his 'slave name' for Muhammad Ali.
Muhammad Ali wins his bout against Englishman Joe Bugner on points at the Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Photograph: Allsport UK/Allsport
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