Cassius Clay Wins First Pro Fight

After his Olympic triumph, Clay returned to Louisville to begin his professional career.

There, on October 29, 1960, he won his first professional fight, a six-round decision over Tunney Hunsaker, who was the police chief of Fayetteville, West Virginia.
Standing tall, at 6-ft, 3-in (1.91 m), Clay had a highly unorthodox style for a heavyweight boxer. Rather than the normal style of carrying the hands high to defend the face, he instead relied on foot speed and quickness to avoid punches and carried his hands low.

He had his first professional fight on 29 October 1960 ending with a victory over Tunney Hunsaker . Slightly further into his career Clay started to compose little rhymes predicting his successes and these rhymes quickly became a big part of the Clay/Ali persona.

The eccentric Clay also had a brilliant technique of footwork and double-quick counter-punching which confused his opponents but delighted the fight crowds.