Muhammad Ali 21 during an elimination bout following Rocky Marciano's retirement. Mike Tyson broke both records in 1986 when he defeated Trevor Berbick to win the heavyweight title at age 20. Soon after the Liston fight, Clay changed his name to Cassius X, and then later to Muhammad Ali upon converting to Islam and affiliating with the Nation of Islam. Ali then faced a rematch with Liston scheduled for May 1965 in Lewiston, Maine. It had been scheduled for Boston the previous November, but was postponed for six months due to Ali's emergency surgery for a hernia three days before. The fight
Muhammad Ali in China Muhammad Ali in China Muhammad Ali visited China on three occasions. Ali's visits to China resulted in a revival of boxing in China, and influenced the development of the sport in China. Ali's first visit to China was in December, 1979. At this time, boxing was banned in China; the ban being imposed in 1959 after a death in the ring caused concerns about safety. During this visit, Ali met Deng Xiaoping, and informed Deng of his desire to revive boxing in China. "As long as people like it, we will develop it...Boxing can also be a bridge which enhances