On this date in 1967, Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) was stripped of his heavyweight title for five years.
His "transgression resulted from Ali speaking out against the Vietnam War and refusing to join the army. Succinct but unmistakable, he said, "I ain't got no quarrel with them, Viet Cong." It spoke volumes, but the media vilified him, the government prosecuted him for draft dodging, and the boxing commission took away his boxing license.
He was idle for what would have been the peak of his career and was supported by other Black athletes. Ali’s comeback, after three and a half years, happened in October 1970. He returned to the ring and defeated Jerry Quarry in the third round.
