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| May peace be with Ali... |
Muhammad Ali passed away at the age of 74. The Associated Press confirms the American boxing legend died of pneumonia and complications from Parkinson's disease. President Barack Obama was notified of Ali's death tonight.
Ali who was considered the greatest boxer of all time fought through racism, his personal struggles, his conversation to Islam and Parkinson's disease.
Beloved by many for being fast on his feet, fast on his fists and fast on his wits.
Legally known as Cassius Clay, Ali converted to being a Muslim through the Nation of Islam. He rejected his birth name after an awakening. He and his family grew up being in a strict Baptist family.
Ali rejected the Christian teachings on grounds of violence and intolerance. He chose Islam as a spiritual path to happiness. He stood firm in those beliefs and it riled up people.
He won an Olympic medal for boxing. When he returns to the United States, he saw racism in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
It was said that he threw his medal in the Ohio River.
He was arrested for dodging the draft. He was opposed to the Vietnam War. He believed that he shouldn't fight for White imperialism. He was stripped of his World Boxing Association championship. It took three years for him to win the right back into the ring.
His bouts with George Foreman, Smokin Joe Frazier and the career win against Sonny Liston made him a legend. The most iconic image of Ali was the one where he took on Sonny Liston and knuckled him in a first round bout.
He was born in Jan. 17, 1942 in a segregated South. He started his career as a boxer when he got his bicycle stolen at age 12.
He won a Gold medal in Rome at age 18. He defeated Polish boxer Zbigniew Pietrzykowski in a light heavyweight final.
Regarded as the most charismatic sportsman of the modern generation, Ali kept his victories on top and his critics at the bottom. He was the first boxer to win the world heavyweight title three times.
He retired in 1981 with a record of 56-5 with 37 knockouts.
He was known as the most recognizable person on the planet. Outpouring of sympathy is coming from politicos, celebrities and athletes worldwide.
Me and S. Baldwin thank Muhammad Ali. May peace be with you and the spiritual Allah. Ali told us to stand up and fight for what's good for the world. He was never afraid to speak his mind. He never let the critics weigh him down with the negativity. He fought the battles and came out forever a champion.
World News Today send our condolences to the family of Muhammad Ali.
I will continue to post more on this story as soon I get info....
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