On September 15, 1978, boxer Muhammad Ali defeated Leon
Spinks at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans to win
the world heavyweight boxing title for the third time in his
career, the first fighter ever to do so. Following his victory,
Ali retired from boxing, only to make a brief comeback two
years later. Ali, who once claimed he could “float like a
butterfly, sting like a bee,” left the sport permanently in
1981.

Muhammad Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.)
(January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016)

Young Muhammad Ali (left) then known as Cassius Clay, knocked
out opponent Sonny Liston for his first world title in boxing on
this day in history, Feb. 25, 1964.

Twenty-two-year-old Clay achieved the unthinkable by dethroning
Liston, who was then the world heavyweight boxing champion. (History.com.)

Muhammad Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.)  
(January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016)