(AURN News) — On April 28, 1967, Muhammad Ali was stripped of his world heavyweight title after refusing induction into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Appearing at a Houston induction center, the champion declined to step forward when his name was called.
Ali, born Cassius Clay, converted to Islam in 1964 and cited his religious beliefs as the reason for his refusal. Consequently, the New York State Athletic Commission suspended his boxing license, and other governing bodies withdrew recognition of his championship.
In June 1967, a jury convicted him of draft evasion. He received a $10,000 fine and a five-year prison sentence and was banned from boxing for three years.
Although sentenced, Ali remained free while his case was on appeal and never served time in prison.
In 1971, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously overturned his conviction in Clay v. United States. At 28, Ali returned to the ring on Oct. 26, 1970, knocking out Jerry Quarry in Atlanta in the third round.
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