Muhammad Ali Stripped Of Heavyweight Title After Refusing To Join US Army – April 28, 1967 (This Day In Boxing History)

Fifty-five years ago today, Muhammad Ali was stripped of his heavyweight title.

The repercussion came after Ali refused to be inducted into the U.S. Army for the Vietnam War, which he cited religious reasons for his decision.

A couple of months later, on June 20, 1967, Ali was convicted of draft evasion, sentenced to five years in prison and fined $10,000. As another blow, Ali was banned from boxing for three years.

He was able to stay out of prison after his case was appealed. He returned to boxing in October of 1970 when he knocked out Jerry Quarry in the third round.

Ali didn’t reclaim championship title until 1974 when he knocked out George Foreman for the WBC and WBA heavyweight titles in the hyped “Rumble in the Jungle.”

He is the only fighter to be heavyweight champion three times.