Boxing authorities in the United States today stripped Muhammad Ali, formerly Cassius Clay, of his world heavyweight title and suspended his boxing licence after he refused to be inducted into the US Army.
Ali stood in line with 11 other men being called up in a room in the old Post Office building in Houston, Texas. When his Black Muslim name was called by the officer administering the oath, Ali did not move. An officer approached him and said, 'Mr Ali, will you accompany me, please?' Ali followed without speaking and was warned of the consequences of his refusal.
He was given a second chance to take the oath but again refused, signing a statement to that effect. Shortly after leaving the centre, mobbed by well-wishers, the New York Boxing Commission, the World Boxing Association, and the Texas Boxing Commission withdrew recognition of him as champion.
A Justice Department spokesman said it would decide whether to seek a federal grand jury indictment, which could lead to a trial and a long prison sentence. Ali issued a statement saying, 'It is in the light of my consciousness as a Muslim minister and my own personal convictions that I take my stand in rejecting the call to be inducted. I do so with the full realisation of its implications.'
He added, 'I had the world heavyweight title not because it was given to me, not because of my race or religion, but because I won it in the ring. Those who want to take it and start a series of auction-type bouts not only do me a disservice, but actually disgrace themselves.' The New York Boxing Commission said his refusal was detrimental to the best interests of boxing.
