(Newswire.net — June 4, 2016) —Muhammad Ali, the former boxing world champion in the heavyweight category, was transferred to a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, earlier this week due to respiratory problems. A family spokesman announced that he passed away Saturday early in the morning.
The funeral will be held on Wednesday in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, although city officials planned to hold a memorial service on Saturday.
Muhammad Ali was known for his sharp mind and sharp blows that he showered opponents with in the ring for two decades, retiring in 1981, before being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1984, which was brought on by thousands of blows taken to the head.
He won and defended the heavyweight championship in historical matches in exotic locations, as well as being a great fighter for the rights of African Americans, and refusing to be recruited by the US Army during the Vietnam War because of his faith.
He was born in January 17, 1942 as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. He began training boxing when he was 12 years old, and at the age of 22 won the world heavyweight championship in 1964 from Sonny Liston in a stunning upset. Shortly after that, Ali joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name.
He is one of the most recognized sports figures of the past 100 years, crowned “Sportsman of the Century” by Sports Illustrated and “Sports Personality of the Century” by the BBC.
Ali was married four times and had seven daughters and two sons, and wrote several books about his career.
An imposing figure at 6.2 ft tall and weighing 209 pounds, he finished his career with a record score of 56 victories, of which 37 were knockouts, and five defeats, and was the first man to win the three world heavyweight champion titles.
Despite his severe illness, Ali had travelled around the world, and everybody welcomed him with enthusiasm, despite the fact that he could no longer use his powerful voice, and only managed to communicate with a weak smile, or the blink of an eye.
Although he was the best boxer of all time, his boxing career is less important compared to the contribution that he gave to the world, said Robert Bob Arum, lawyer and boxing promoter.
He added that Ali did more to change race relations and perspectives of people than even Martin Luther King.
Donald Don King, American boxing promoter who organized some of Muhammad Ali’s biggest matches, said about of the death of the great boxer, saying that he is very sad, and that Ali was his friend.
“He will never die”, says Don King and added: “Like Martin Luther King his spirit will live on, he stood for the world.”
Ali, nicknamed “The Greatest”, made history as one of the most recognized sports figures of the past 100 years, and also as a clever man who left the world with more than just memorable matches.
Some of Ali’s legendary and inspirational quotes included:
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
“The man who has no imagination has no wings.”
“It’s just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.”