When he made his way to the top of the heavyweight division in 1964, he took the opportunity to declare freely: “Cassius Clay is a slave name. I didn't choose it, and I don't want it. I am Muhammad Ali, a free name — it means beloved of God, and I insist people use it when people speak to me.”

Why did Cassius Clay change his name to Muhammad Ali answers com?

After publicly joining the Nation of Islam, Ali put it in his own words: "Cassius Clay is a slave name." During a press conference after his historic night, Ali first announced that his name would be Cassius X. This title paid homage to his friend and mentor Malcolm X, who watched his fight from the sidelines.

When did Cassius Clay change name?

He became a Muslim after 1961. He won the world heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston in a major upset on February 25, 1964, at age 22. On March 6, 1964, he announced that he no longer would be known as Cassius Clay but as Muhammad Ali.