Muhammed Ali screwed up

The championship boxer changed his name from Cassius Clay, who he was said to be named after.  Even if he wasn't named after Cassius Clay, he should have been proud to have a name like that.  For Cassius Clay was one bad-ass SOB.

From Wikipedia these two excerpts as examples:

1. His anti-slavery activism earned him violent enemies. During a political debate in 1843, he survived an assassination attempt by a hired gun, named Sam Brown. Despite being shot in the chest, Clay defended himself. He seriously wounded Brown with his Bowie knife and threw him over an embankment.[ comment:  You have to be pretty tough to throw somebody over an embankment, especially if you are wounded.]
2. While making a speech for abolition in 1849, Clay was attacked by the six Turner brothers, who beat, stabbed and tried to shoot him. In the ensuing fight, Clay fought off all six and, using his Bowie knife, killed Cyrus Turner [ six to one, and he still came out on top!?!  He puts Muhammed Ali to shame.  He was the Greatest, and Muhammed Ali was just the latest.]

Yep, Cassius Clay was the better name to be associated with.  Who was Muhammed Ali?  The original Muhammed Ali was a slave owner.  If you don't like slavery, why have such a name?