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Muhammad Ali dead at 74

Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest, but it all started as an amateur at the Olympics in 1960.
4th June, 2016
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Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali has died today, having been hospitalized for several days in Phoenix, Arizona, being treated for respiratory complications. He was 74 years old.

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay junior in Louisville, Kentucky in 1942, Ali changed his name when he converted to Islam shortly after he won his first heavyweight title in 1964.

The first title win was one of boxing’s great upsets as at 22 years of age, Ali shocked Sonny Liston to win the title.

His fights to come with Joe Frazier and George Foreman will forever be some of the most memorable bouts in the history of the sport.

However Ali’s work outside of the ring to promote the ideals of religious freedom and racial justice may be what he is remembered for most.

In 1967 he famously took a stand and refused to be conscripted into the US military due to his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam war.

As a result he was stripped of his title and did not fight for four years, missing what might have been the prime of his career.

His conviction was overturned in 1971 and what he lost in terms of time in the ring, he more than made up for in the respected public profile he had built as a conscientious objector.

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He retired with a record of 56 wins from 61 fights, with 37 of his wins being by knock out. He was the first and to date only three-time lineal world heavyweight champion, winning the title in 1964, 1974 and 1978.

His last fight was in 1981 at the age of 39, when he lost to Trevor Berbick. It was his third loss in four fights, having previously lost just two matches in his career.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome in 1984.

Ali’s nickname of ‘The Greatest’ is perhaps the most apt nickname in the history of boxing. He will be remembered forever as a legend of the sport.

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