Just like other world-famous boxers, there is a distinct difference between Boxer Ali and others like Tyson and Joe Louis. Ordinary boxers gain fame mainly for their superb strength in the sport of boxing and their distinctive personal traits.
However, Boxer Ali became famous for resisting the American Government's military draft, and he is known for a very famous quote.
"I will never run ten thousand miles to murder poor people. If I am to die, you are my enemies, not the Chinese, the Vietnamese, or the Japanese. I want freedom, and you don't give it; I want justice, and you don't give it… Yet you ask me to go fight elsewhere on your behalf… You didn't stand up to protect my rights and beliefs in your own country... You couldn't even do that…"
As a result, in the decades that followed, Ali was labeled with a bunch of grand titles such as 'Democratic Fighter', 'Western Sympathizer with the Third World', 'Freedom Fighter', and so on.