Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest and most influential sportsmen of all time, passed away Friday evening at the age of 74.The legendary American boxer was battling respiratory ailment in a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.
A global icon, and a widely respected figure in modern history, Ali was hospitalized on Thursday.
Hours before his death, Ali’s daughter Laila Ali thanked people for outpouring of love for the family.
The former heavyweight champion, who rose to worldwide fame in 1960s, and has been voted sportsman of the century, had been living with Parkinson’s disease since 1980s. He won the heavyweight title three times in fights against top boxers including Joe Frazier and George Foreman, and the fights Thrilla in Manila and The Rumble in the Jungle are rated among the world’s greatest sporting events.
The champ would often say “I am the greatest,” and today people around the world believe that his personality and character combined an astonishing mix of charisma, appeal and resilience. With gleam in the eyes and robust energy, he inspired countless people around the world. His moral convictions and fearless advocacy for freedom and equality of people endeared him to people around the world. African Americans owe so much to Ali for the newfound awareness that his statements about their talents, equality and qualities brought them.
Once he flourished to prominence with Olympic gold medal in 1960, the world was for him to conquer, as a man of incredible talents.
![photo credit: By Ira Rosenberg [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.viewsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Photo-Muhammad_Ali_NYWTS.jpg)
photo credit: By Ira Rosenberg [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Yet, boxing was just one dimension of his life and personality. His opposition to drafting for the unpopular Vietnam war was a key socio-political event in American history, and his stances gave unprecedented confidence to African Americans during the civil rights movement era.
Ali was stripped of his world heavyweight title for being conscientious objector to the Vietnam war in 1967 and was banned for nearly four precious years of his prime. Eventually, vindication came as the Supreme Court overturned the decision, paving the way for one of the most scintillating comebacks in the history of sports.
The man who would “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” inside the boxing ring, was one of the most celebrated and admired figures outside the arena, getting receptions from heads of government and state, and legions of fans during his travels.
Born Cassius Clay on January 17, 1942 in Louisville Kentucky, he joined the Nation of Islam in 1964, soon after pulling off a stunning victory over the most dangerous boxer of that time Sonny Liston.
Ali also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, and tributes from around the world. In 1996, Ali lighted the Olympic Games in Atlanta, his hands shaking but the spirit of sportsmanship staying constant in his heart.
Gradually, Ali’s public appearances became limited due to Parkinson’s disease but generations of young people would listen to, watch and read about the momentous moments of Ali’s life.
On Friday evening, family spokesman Bob Gunnell announced Ali’s death in a statement.
“After a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening,” Gunnell. “The Ali family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support and asks for privacy at this time.”
During his professional career, which he ended in 1981, Ali won 56 bouts with 37 knockouts, and lost just five.
