On April 28, 1967, the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the New York State Athletic Commission stripped Muhammad Ali of his world heavyweight title after he refused induction into the U.S. military. Citing his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War, Ali famously stated, “I ain’t got no quarrel with them Viet Cong.” His stand sparked nationwide debate, costing him not only his title but also his boxing license and passport. For three and a half years, Ali was barred from the ring at the peak of his career—but his sacrifice elevated him as a symbol of resistance, civil rights, and moral courage far beyond the world of sports.
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