Former professional boxer Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. Ali was hospitalized for a respiratory issue on Thursday in Scottsdale, Arizona. According to the Associated Press, Ali’s representative said that the respiratory problems had been complicated by the Parkinson’s disease he was diagnosed with in 1984.
BREAKING: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, 'the greatest of all time,' has died at 74https://t.co/tA6SGOWREz pic.twitter.com/wrHYu3wnOn
— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 4, 2016
Boxing Legend “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali Dies at 74
On Friday, the New York Post reported that Ali had been placed on life support and his family had been summoned to be at his bedside. Life support was needed to help with Ali’s breathing. He passed away late Friday evening.
Ali Born Cassius Marcellus Clay in 1942
Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. He began boxing at age 12. Ali won the World Heavyweight Championship in 1964 after stunning heavily favored Sonny Liston. Following that victory, Ali joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name from Clay to Ali.
Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee
Ali was known for his highly unorthodox boxing style for a heavyweight and his catchphrase “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Ali was never the overpowering heavyweight boxer. Instead, Ali relied on quick hands and reflexes and constant movement around the ring with strong footwork.
Ali also was what ESPN columnist Ralph Wiley called “The King of Trash Talk.” He regularly taunted his opponents with before a fight and often even during a bout. Ali could rhythmically turn a phrase with an almost modern-day, rap-like style. Ali’s development of Parkinson’s disease, likely brought on by blows to the head received during his career, later destroyed Ali’s ability to speak clearly. This development was likely especially cruel to such a talented speaker (as well as boxer) like Ali.
Ali Considered One of the Greatest Heavyweights of All-Time
Ali is generally considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all-time by boxing fans, commentators and historians. Ali had a professional boxing record of 56 wins (37 knockouts, 19 by decision) and five losses (4 by decision and one knockout). Ali defeated every top heavyweight in his era during what has been called the golden age of heavyweight boxing.
Ali’s Opposition to Vietnam War
In 1967, in his mid-20’s, during the height of a professional boxer’s career, Ali refused to be conscripted into the United States military. Ali cited his opposition to the Vietnam War based upon his religious beliefs. Ali was arrested and convicted for draft evasion and stripped of his boxing title.
Ali appealed the matter at various levels until his conviction was eventually overturned by a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court in 1971. During the appeals process, Ali was not able to fight and lost four years of his prime fighting life.
Ali’s Famous Bouts of the 1970’s
Ali returned to boxing in 1971 and first fought then-heavyweight champion, Joe Frazier, in what was nicknamed “Fight of the Century.” Ali fought various fighters during the 1970’s including Bob Foster, Ken Norton and George Foremen in the bout nicknamed the “Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa, Zaire. Ali fought Frazier a third time in 1975 in a bout called “Thrilla in Manilla.”
Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome in 1984 four years after he retired from boxing in 1981. On July 27, 2012, Ali was the torch-bearer of the Olympic Flag during the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Ali has been married four times and is survived by seven daughters and two sons. The Greatest will be missed by his family, friends and boxing fans worldwide.
