World News for Students of English

10-06-2016 07:00

At the age of 22, an African American man named Cassius Clay became the heavyweight champion of the world after he won an important boxing match. He then converted to the religion of Islam and changed his name to Muhammed Ali.

He became very famous for winning his boxing matches and for his politics. When America was at war in Vietnam, he refused to be part of it due to his religion. When America had segregation, he fought for equality of African Americans.

Repeated head trauma made Muhammed Ali sick, so he helped people later in life. He died at age 74.

Difficult words: convert (to change), refuse (to say you will you not do something), segregation (when people keep different types of people apart), trauma (when something hurts you).

You can read the original story and watch the video in the Level 3 section.