The Great Muhammad Ali Dies Aged 74

Today is a sad day for boxing, Muhammad Ali has died.

Muhammad Ali who suffered for a long time with Parkinson’s disease, was taken to hospital in Phoenix earlier this week. Ali was being treated for respiratory problems. The first reports suggest that Ali would only be in hospital for a short time and should be home soon.

But unfortunately, the news came late last night that Muhammad was put on to life support. Then, in the early hours of Friday, U.K. time, Muhammad Ali past away. He was 74 years old.

Muhammad Ali was possibly the most famous boxer to ever step in the ring. Not only was he known for his boxing, but he was known for much more.

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. His story is one of the most inspirational of modern times. He was a boxer, He was a poet and a true icon and hero to the many a generation. Someone many looked up to. Much in the same way as Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali fought bigotry and racism.

But, he had more documented battles in the ring, Sonny Liston, George Foreman and Joe Frazier to name the three biggest names that he fought through his career. Ali won an Olympic gold medal in boxing, even though that medal is probably on the bottom of a river bed today, as Ali was a very deep and interesting man. Ali was refused entrance to a diner on his way back to Louisville after he’d won the gold medal for USA in the Olympics.

Ali was so angry about this that he threw his Olympic medal in a river.

When Muhammad Ali Retired, he became the figurehead for world peace. Putting in hard work outside of the ring to bring peace to all four quarters of the globe.

You could probably get a hint of Ali’s peaceful side back when he refused the draft to fight in Vietnam, Ali was punished for this decision, he was banned from boxing for three years. At a time that many call his prime.

Muhammad Ali will always remain the people’s champion.

Here are ten facts about the man.

1) Ali got into boxing because he had his bike stollen as a child.

2) Ali would work on his defence by having rocks thrown at him. His younger brother Rudy said, “No matter how many I threw, I could never hit him.”

3) before becoming Muhammad Ali, he changed his name to Cassius X.

4) Muhammad Ali was a singer, an actor and a poet.

5) Muhammad Ali was scared of flying.

6) Ali had Irish roots.

7) Ali was largely expected to lose his first championship bout again Liston.

8) Ali once convinced Saddam Hussein to release 15 hostages.

9) Ali’s fight with Foreman went ahead at 4am local time!

10) The gloves Ali wore that he beat Liston earned him more money than the victory itself.