The life of Muhammad Ali: A look back at the boxing legend's professional career

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay and hailed from Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the most well-known, influential boxers of all time. Nicknamed "the greatest," Ali fought in many historic matches that are still remembered long after his death.  (Getty Images )

In 1960, Muhammad Ali was part of the United States boxing team for the Olympics in Rome. He won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division during the games. (Getty Images )

When Muhammad Ali returned from the Olympics, his professional career officially kicked off. His first professional fight was against Tunney Hunsaker, a professional boxer from Kentucky, who is widely remembered for being the first professional opponent of Ali's. A young 18-year-old Ali defeated Hunsaker in a six-round decision.  (Getty Images )

In 1963, Muhammad Ali fought against Doug Jones, a New York native, who was a strong boxing opponent to many fighters through the 1960s. Ali won the fight in front of a sold out crowd at Madison Square Garden by unanimous decision after ten rounds.  (Getty Images )

On Feb, 25, 1964, Muhammad Ali became a heavyweight champion for the first time. He defeated Sonny Liston for the title. Charles "Sonny" Liston was a professional boxer and world heavyweight champion out of Arkansas. (EyeOn/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The same year Muhammad Ali became a heavyweight champion, he converted to Islam and changed his name. The name Muhammad Ali was given by his spiritual mentor, Elijah Muhammad. Before it became official, he went by the name Cassius X. Prior to that, he went by his birth name Cassius Clay.  (Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)

In 1967, Muhammad Ali refused to be drafted into the military on the grounds of his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War. His refusal led to his title being stripped and his suspension from boxing. The Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 1971.  (Getty Images )

On Oct. 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, a two-time world heavyweight champion out of Texas, fought in The Rumble in the Jungle. Ali won the fight to reclaim his heavyweight title.  (Tony Triolo /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

Joe Frazier, the first to beat Ali in a professional match-up, and Muhammad Ali went head-to-head three times. Ali won two out of the three fights against Frazier. (UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Muhammad Ali connected with many prominent figures throughout his life, including former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela in 2003.  (McManus/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Muhammad Ali received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President George W. Bush on Nov. 9, 2005.  (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

In 1984, a few short years after retiring from boxing, Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He lived with the disease for many years and died June 4, 2016, of septic shock at the age of 74. (Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research)