Muhammad Ali

Cassius grew up in West End Louisville, together with his younger brother Rudolph who later changed his name into Rahaman. Their father painted religious and commercial plates while Odessa Clay worked as a cleaning woman and cook in white upper-class families. Although the Clays were not wealthy, young Cassius and Rudolph always had something to eat and to wear. Contrary to most of his later foes, Ali had a carefree childhood. At the age of twelve, Cassius got into boxing rather by chance. His new Schwinn bike had been stolen and this way he met police officer Joe Martin who also ran a boxing gym. The furious lad told Martin that he would whip the thief if he found him. Martin suggested to Cassius that he teach him first how to box properly. Cassius agreed and attended Martin's gym regularly from then on.