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It's April 28, 1967, the Armed Forces examining an entrance station in Houston, Texas,

12 years into the Vietnam War.

It's just before 8 a.m., and a number of reporters and photographers are waiting outside

for the arrival of the reigning boxing heavyweight world champion Muhammad Ali.

Ali has been vocal about his opposition to the ongoing Vietnam War,

publicly stating he's a conscientious objector on the grounds of his Islamic faith.

But his application for conscientious objection has been declined.

So today, Ali is required to attend the entrance center for a formal induction into the US Army.

As the taxi carrying Ali arrives, journalists swarm the car,

their cameras and questions at the ready.

But as the boxer steps out, he remains tight-lipped until he reaches the center's entrance.

Ali is not camera shy, but today he is elected to let his actions do the talking.

Inside the center, Ali sails through the physical and medical exams and joins seven other men

lying shoulder to shoulder. As the soon to be inductees await their final instructions,

the commanding figure of Lieutenant Stephen Dunkley enters the room.

He tells the men that once their name is called, they must step forward to be received into the US Army.

Lieutenant Dunkley reads out the names of Ali's peers.

It all six men step forward. Then he reads Ali's name aloud.

But Ali's feet do not move. The lieutenant repeats his request, but Ali stays rooted to his spot.

...