Born Cassius Clay; from Louisville. Heavyweight boxing champ, Nation of Islam spokesmodel, proto-rapper, reluctant anti-war activist, political prisoner (for not going to Vietnam; he was jailed and stripped of his title - the conviction was later overturned on a technicality); now an international icon and do-gooder. Invented "rope-a-dope", a mixed blessing. Has a penchant for magic tricks and for practical jokes - like saying he plans to make a comeback. Good one, Champ!