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.
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.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Just like Jacksyd above I feel blessed to have seen this exceptional athlete at his extraordinary best during my teenage years and after, when access to television broadcasts was nowhere near as readily available as now. I recall watching one of his fights in Martin Place, outside the Overseas Telecommunications Corporation building where they showed the event on screens in their ground floor window. Decades ago I had a couple of fine photos framed of the strong young man in his deservedly arrogant prime and they are proudly displayed still. The man was denied his best years by the politics of the time and those later years in the ring, when he should have been out of it, greatly damaged his health. He matured to become quite the statesman and a thoughtful commentator on topical issues. Quite apart from his unique personality and fabulous public presentation, which generated quite some outrage for many, he brought fundamental, profound change to the heavyweight division with his speed (especially for a man of his size), his agility, ringcraft and tactical nous. For those who did not have the grand good fortune to follow his career as it evolved the documentary "When We Were Kings" is a pretty good account of the man in action - the interviews with writers / journalists George Plimpton and Norman Mailer offer close personal insights. Manny Pacquiao said, aptly:
Muhammad Ali was most assuredly the Greatest of All Time and now he rests in peace.Jacksyd
Guest
Feel privelidged to have lived in an era to appreciate this greatest legend in sporting history.
Axle an the Guru
Guest
The Greatest sports man ever, he had a mouth and he could back it up, there will never be another like him, he is the reason there is so much money in sport today. The world has lost the jewel in the crown, I agree with Womblat, the Williams fight was the most masterly I ever seen,his fights are legendary, he will never be forgotten. Muhammad Ali, you were my idol growing up. You will never die. May you Rest In Peace CHAMP.
Reccymech
Roar Rookie
One of a kind. A man who earned the title 'legend', in a world where it is too readily used, and by all accounts a true gent from an era when you actually had to accomplish something to be a star.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
RIP one of the greatest athletes of all time.
Punter
Guest
RIP, the GOAT, you were the MAN, in sport as well as in life!!!!
Julian King
Roar Guru
It's funny. On your Roar profile where it asks you to say a few words about yourself, it suggests a "quote you live by". When I first signed up I had this one listed: "I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.' The world has had very few transcendent beings. Ali was one of them. The Greatest.
Dingo McNumbat
Roar Rookie
There will never be another like him.
Scott Pryde
Expert
RIP.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
It's not very often that the passing of an athlete moves me as this one did. A brave, courageous man, with his own flaws, but human in so many ways.
Womblat
Guest
Most people think Foreman or Frazier I reckon but his 1966 fight with Cleveland Williams is my favourite. The most beautiful, lethal and artistic display of pure boxing against a bigger, stronger, heavier man. Real butterfly and bee stuff. RIP GOAT.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
RIP the GOAT
Midfielder
Guest
Will be remembered for more than his boxing skills