Who was the first boxer Muhammad Ali fought professionally?

Muhammad Ali's first professional opponent was Tunney Hunsaker. Fighting under his birth name, Cassius Clay, Ali made his professional debut against Hunsaker on October 29, 1960, at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky.

Clay had won the light-heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics shortly before turning professional. Hunsaker was a 30-year-old heavyweight from Fayetteville, West Virginia, and also served as the town's police chief. Although far less famous than Clay, he was an experienced professional with a record of 15–9–1 entering the bout.

The scheduled six-round fight ended with Clay winning a unanimous decision. Hunsaker later remembered Clay's extraordinary speed and praised him despite the defeat. Ali eventually described Hunsaker as one of the toughest body punchers he ever faced, and the two remained friendly for decades.

A common mix-up is Archie Moore, whom Clay defeated in 1962. Moore was an important early opponent, but Hunsaker came first.