It is with the heaviest heart that I must report the death of the greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali. At age 74, Ali was hospitalized earlier this week for a respiratory issue and was later placed on life support. He was surrounded by his family a majority of the day on Friday according to his daughter Laila Ali’s spokesperson. It was well-known that Ali had been battling Parkinson’s Disease for a number of years, but it is still unknown what the official cause of death for the boxer is.
Ali was originally born Cassius Clay on January 17, 1942, and would later change his name to Muhammad Ali after joining the Nation of Islam. Ali’s professional boxing career began in 1960 and in 1963, he would transform from unknown boxer to worldwide sensation. The now infamous photo of Ali knocking out Sonny Liston kickstarted the boxer’s fame and his introduction to the world as one of the most skilled and most conscious boxers to ever step foot in the ring.
Ali was known for trash talking in the ring and is still regarded as one of the best to ever do it. One of his most popular quotes to date has to be “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can’t hit what the eyes can’t see.” The quote unsurprisingly came right before his fight with Liston. While he was known for talking trash in the ring, Ali was never afraid to speak his mind about issues outside of the ring.
Ali was vehemently opposed to the Vietnam War and refused to serve in the Army despite being drafted. He spoke up about racial inequality in the United States, religious freedom and “the triumph of principle over expedience.” His quotes about the Vietnam War are among some of his most popular. Ali, a published author, wrote five books throughout the course of his lifetime.
He was named Fighter Of The Year more times than anyone ever in Ring Magazine, was a recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in 1997, voted BBC’s SportsPerson Of the Century and has appeared on over 37 Sports Illustrated covers. He, of course, is widely recognized as one of the greatest athletes of all time and he will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace To The Greatest, Muhammad Ali.
[…] the tragic passing of Muhammad Ali, this week’s spotlight had to be someone that would honor him. There i no one better for this […]