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Muhammad Ali and the Draft

25/04/2013 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, Muhammad Ali and the Draft

How the boxing champion's refusal to go to Vietnam made him a hero to 1960s radicals

How the world heavyweight boxing champion's refusal to go to do military service in Vietnam made him a hero to 1960s civil rights activists.

In 1967, the world heavyweight champion, Muhammad Ali, refused to be indicted into the American military. His decision to follow his conscience and not serve in Vietnam galvanised radicals across the US.

Simon Watts speaks to Dr Nathan Hare about a visit by Muhammad Ali to Howard University at the height of the outcry over his refusal of the draft.

(Photo: Muhammad Ali in training. Credit: R McPhedran/Express/Getty Images)

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