On This Date in Sports June 28, 1971: Ali Wins Unanimous Decision

Muhammad Ali got the most critical unanimous decision of his career as the Supreme Court voted 8-0 to overturn his conviction for refusing to answer the draft into the army. Born Cassius Clay, Ali refused to join the military, claiming to be a conscientious objector in 1966. He was later convicted and sentenced to five years in prison, while his boxing license was suspended. The decision by the court vacated the conviction and vindicated Ali.    

Born Cassius Clay on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, Muhammad Ali won a gold medal in boxing at the 1960 Olympics and turned professional. Quickly moving up the heavyweight division, Clay stunned Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title in 1964. The following day he announced his conversion to Islam and changed his name. 

Initially failing the test to qualify for the draft, Muhamad Ali was reclassified 1-A status in 1966. This led to him being called upon to join the U.S. Army when the Vietnam War was escalating. Citing his Muslim faith, Ali appealed to the draft board in Louisville to be declared a conscientious objector. In a statement, Muhammad Ali angered many Americans by saying, “I ain’t got no quarrel with them Vietcong.”

By 1967, Muhammad Ali had moved to Houston and refused to answer his call into service with the U.S. Army. Ali appeared for his induction but refused to step forward. He was arrested and charged with refusing induction into the Armed Forces. As a result, Muhammad Ali was stripped of the heavyweight title and suspended from boxing. A few months later, Ali was convicted of violating selective service laws and sentenced to five years in prison. 

Free of the burden of a possible prison sentence, Muhammad Ali would reclaim the heavyweight championship in 1974 at “The Rumble in the Jungle.”