Muhammad Ali, the crowned "King of Boxing", succumbed to respiratory ailments at the age of 74, at a hospital in Phoenix.
Muhammad Ali, the crowned 'King of Boxing', succumbed to respiratory ailments at the age of 74, at a hospital in Phoenix.
Reigning as one of the most beloved sports personality around the world, Muhammad Ali often claimed to be the 'The Greatest' and at his peak, many did agree. However, Ali was a true victor when he won the battle of induction into the army against the United States government. His refusal turned him from a national enemy to a national hero. And even cost him his heavyweight championship.
Ali lived in the Phoenix area, with his fourth wife Yolonda Williams, who he had married in 1986.
At a time when the spirit for the sport seemed to wane out, Ali brought it back. A brash, young Ali often made claims about his abilities and backed them up with action. Speaking of knocking his opponents out, he even made a rhyme - "They all fall / In the round I call".
It had been three decades that Ali had been suffering from Parkinson's disease. His long absence from the sport or the spotlight has failed to dim his 56-5 record or the love for him in his fan's hearts.
1. Muhammad Ali v Antonio Inoki, 1976
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Heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali fighting the champion Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki at Budokan Hall in Tokyo, June 26 1976. (Photo courtesy - Keystone/Getty Images)
2. Muhammad Ali v Henry Cooper, 1963
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British Heavyweight champion Henry Cooper (1934 - 2011, left) with American boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) after their non-title fight at Wembley Stadium, London, June 18, 1963. Clay won the match by a technical knockout after Cooper sustained a cut under his left eye. (Photo courtesy - Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
3. Muhammad Ali v Richard Dunn, 1976
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Muhammad Ali (L) punches Richard Dunn while fighting for the WBC & WBA Heavyweight Title in Munich, Germany May 24, 1976. (Photo courtesy - Action Images/Reuters)
4. The Fight of the Century - Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier, 1971
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Joe Frazier (R) lands a left hook on Muhammad Ali during the first of their three epic battles at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, US March 8, 1971. The Fight of the Century (also known as The Fight) is the title boxing writers and historians have given to the boxing match between champion Joe Frazier (26-0, 23 KOs) and challenger Muhammad Ali (31-0, 25 KOs). (Photo courtesy - Action Images/Reuters)
5. Muhammad Ali v Ken Norton, 1976
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Muhammad Ali (R) fights Ken Norton at Yankee Stadium in the third fight between the two heavyweights in New York City, New York, U.S., September 28,1976. (Photo courtesy - Action Images/Reuters)
6. Muhammad Ali v Leon Spinks, 1978
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Muhammad Ali (R) drops an overhand right on Leon Spinks during their second match at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. September 15, 1978. The fight went badly for Spinks. A now in shape Ali rarely lost control, winning back his title by a unanimous fifteen-round decision. Ali regained the title, becoming the first three-time heavyweight champion. (Photo courtesy - Action Images/Reuters)
7. Muhammad Ali v George Foreman, 1974
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This file photo taken on October 30, 1974 shows the fight between US boxing heavyweight champions, Muhammad Ali (L) (born Cassius Clay) and George Foreman in Kinshasa. Heavyweight boxing legend Muhammad Ali, an icon of the 20th Century whose fame transcended the sport during a remarkable career that spanned three decades, died June 3, 2016, his family said. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
