Boxer from California (3)
I believe the answer is:
ali
'boxer' is the definition.
(Muhammad Ali)
'from california' is the wordplay.
'from' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ALI' is hidden in the letters of 'california'.
(Other definitions for ali that I've seen before include "Son-in-law to Muhammad" , "Muhammad ..., former boxer" , "Former boxing champion" , "Lepidopterous floater, apian stinger, d. 2016" , "Mohammad . . ., . . . Hewson" .)