The Greatest

It is probably worth noting that the reason that Muhammad Ali lost his title the first time because he refused to fight. In 1967, three years after he beat Sonny Liston to become boxing's heavyweight champion, he was stripped of that title because after he converted changed his name from Cassius Clay and declared that he would not join allow himself to be drafted into the army and be enlisted into the fight against North Vietnam. Until 1971, when his conviction on draft evasion was overturned by the United States Supreme Court, he was not allowed to pursue his chosen vocation: fighting.
Ironic? Sure it is. Complicated. Like trying to unravel the truth about Islam and whether or not its followers are all bloodthirsty murderers. Actually, it's not so hard at all, unless you apply that same litmus test to Christianity and we start labeling an entire religion and its adherents psycho killers. Like Robert Dear, the self-appointed "warrior for the babies." There aren't many Christians who would make this guy the poster boy for their club.
And that makes sense. Just like once upon a time, Muhammad Ali stood up for the Nation of Islam, and everyone shuddered what we don't know can hurt us. It turns out that, in hindsight, he was exactly right. Being a conscientious objector in the war against Vietnam turns out to have been the exact right call. And then he went back to beating people up in the squared circle.
Like I said, it's not a straight line.
Below are the words Muhammad Ali used to describe his feelings about Donald Trump's proposed ban on Muslims entering the United States:

"I am a Muslim.  I am an American.  As an American Muslim, I want to express my deep sadness and anguish at the tremendous loss of life that occurred on Tuesday.

Islam is a religion of peace.  Islam does not promote terrorism or the killing of people.

I cannot sit by and let the world think that Islam is a killing religion. It hurts me to see what radical people are doing in the name of Islam. These radicals are doing things that God is against.  Muslims do not believe in violence.

If the culprits are Muslim, they have twisted the teachings of Islam. Whoever performed, or is behind, the terrorist attacks in the United States of America does not represent Islam.  God is not behind assassins.  Anyone involved in this must pay for their evil.

Hatred caused this tragedy and adding to the hatred that already exists in the world will not help.  Instead, we should try to understand each other better.

Americans are warm, loving and hospitable people, and we share many of the same values.  I ask that churches and synagogues all across the nation invite representatives of the Islamic faith into their places of worship, to better understand Islam.  This could help us all respect each other more. 

I pray that God blesses the people and families of those who were killed, and our great country."

Thanks for the perspective, champ.