Muhammad Ali the boxer was also an Olympic Gold medallist and the first to win the linear heavyweight title three times. Muhammad Ali the star was a jive-talking showman who had reporters eating out of his hands, always wondering what he was going to say next. Muhammad Ali the humanitarian gave cause to his countrymen to find their place in the world.

Ali grew up in Louisville Kentucky as Cassius Clay Jnr, and started boxing at an early age. Working on his fitness he d run beside the school bus rather than catch it, and spar under an old cedar tree in his front yard. He took up boxing so that he would be ready if he ever caught up with the thieves who stole a treasured bicycle. But boxing became so much more to him than just a way to get revenge or defend himself.

During his amateur career he registered 100 wins and five losses, competed in the famous Golden Gloves tournament, and finally as an amateur in the 1960 Olympic games before turning pro. The opponent of his first professional fight remembers Ali (then known by his real name, Clay) as being lightning fast, and delivering the hardest body blow he d ever taken. By March 1963 Ali had won each of his 18 bouts, with five knockouts, and nine technical knockouts. He was also building a reputation as the Louisville Lip , with his confident assurance becoming as much a trademark as his footwork and punches.

Ali’s first title fight was against Sonny Liston, on Feb 25th, 1964 in Miami Beach. Ali won, becoming the heavyweight champion of the world, and retained his title the following year. In March of 64 he celebrated his joining the Fellowship of Islam by changing his name to Muhammad Ali. In 1966 Ali became a conscientious objector to the war in Vietnam, refusing to fight due to his religious beliefs, and taking his personal battle to court. After some time in Europe, Ali returned to the US in November 66 and continued to object to taking up arms in Vietnam. During this time, paradoxically, he retained his WBC title, and won the WBA title in two bouts that demonstrated his superb skill and ruthless killer instinct . Ali won his court battle in the end, but also won in the court of public opinion, in a time where anti-war protests were the in-thing.

Ali retired in June, 1979, but was coaxed out of retirement in 1980 to contest the WBC title, and that was when the first rumblings that something was seriously wrong with the greatest boxer in history, took hold. He was examined at the Mao Clinic and diagnosed with Parkinson s disease in 1983. Since retiring he has worked endlessly for various humanitarian causes, including the search for a cure for Parkinson s sufferers.

Includes rare behind the scenes footage and interviews with Muhammad Ali himself along with Don King, Will Smith, Teofilo Stevenson, Prince, Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson and Sylvester Stallone.

Bonus Features: Laila Ali Ali s daughter to Veronica Portia, Laila knocked out her first opponent in her first bout in 1999. Prior to her giving birth to her first child, her record stood at 24 wins from 24 bouts, 21 by knockout. Don King No one understands the world of boxing promotion like Don King. With his wild mane of grey hair and colourful jackets, he has become almost as famous as the fighters he promotes. Trefoil Stevenson The Cuban boxer could have been the toughest opponent Ali ever faced, except for the fact that they never actually met in the ring, as three time Olympic champ Stevenson refused to turn pro. Boxing Did you know? The world of boxing is diverse, and sometimes surprising. Championships can be held in gyms, schools and even jails; in an attempt to change behaviour with the introduction of sport to relieve boredom and encourage fitness.