The Night Muhammad Ali Humbled a Bully — And Changed His Life

February 25, 1964. A loud 22-year-old from Louisville steps into the ring against the most feared man on the planet. 43 of 46 sportswriters said he would be knocked out. What happened that night didn't just crown a new champion — it created Muhammad Ali. From a stolen red bicycle to "I shook up the world," this is the true story of the night a boy who wanted to fight a bully became the Greatest. Sources are listed in the pinned comment. Photo: Ira Rosenberg, World Journal Tribune, 1967 — Library of Congress. 00:00 The night nobody believed 00:57 The stolen bicycle 02:05 The most feared man in boxing 03:02 The "Big Ugly Bear" 03:46 The weigh-in 04:29 The fight 05:12 Fighting blind 06:24 The stool 07:02 A new name 07:46 The lesson