Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali passes away, aged 74
Ali, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky to a black working-class family but went on to become a sporting icon and the greatest heavyweight champion, was admitted to a hospital and was recuperating from respiratory problems, in Phoenix area, where he passed away, according to a family statement.
He is survived by his nine children, including boxer daughter Laila, and his fourth wife, Lonnie.
A tweet on Ali's official page posted a photo of the boxer saying, "Muhammad Ali. 1942-2016."
"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," Bob Gunnell, a family spokesman, said in a statement.
George Foreman, who had lost to Ali in 1974 for the world heavyweight title, tweeted: "A part of me slipped away, The greatest piece."
Ali, also known as the "Greatest Of All Time" and had said "Impossible is Nothing", was born as Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. in 1942. But he later became a member of the Nation of Islam and called himself Muhammad Ali instead of his "slave name" Cassius Clay.
The iconic boxer, who famously said "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,"won his first title at the age of 22.
He made his professional debut on Oct 29, 1960, winning a six-round decision over Tunney Hunsaker. For the next three years, he bagged a record of 19–0 with 15 wins by knockout.
He defeated boxers including Tony Esperti, Jim Robinson, Donnie Fleeman, Alonzo Johnson, George Logan, Willi Besmanoff, Lamar Clark, Doug Jones and Henry Cooper. Clay also beat his former trainer and veteran boxer Archie Moore in a 1962 match.
However, he had also lost 5 fights during his time, from opponents like Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks, and Larry Holmes.
Post his boxing career, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a condition he endured for 30 years.
Apart from tearing down on opponents with his big gloves, he was equally destructive with his mouth, often driving opponents mad with quirky comments and witty one-liners.
A pro Islam man, Ali's reaction against Donald Trump's call for the ban on Muslims in the US was, "We as Muslims have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda."
His last fight took place on December 11, 1981 in Nassau against Trevor Berbick, accounting for one of his five losses.
Ali has been married four times and has seven daughters and two sons.
His daughter Laila Amaria Ali is a retired undefeated American professional boxer.
Images: Internet Wallpapers
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