Cassius Clay, who became Muhammad Ali and eventually a sports legend passed away at the age of 74.
The three-time boxing champion who in all aspects is considered the best the sports has ever seen was admitted to a Phoenix hospital earlier in the week for respiratory issues. Ali took a turn for the worse Friday when he was reportedly placed on life support and the family called to his bedside.
Born Cassius Clay on January 17th, 1942 he began his training as a boxer at 12 eventually going on to win his first World Heavyweight Title when he was just 22 beating Sonny Liston in what was considered a major upset in 1964. It was shortly after that win when Clay joined the Nation of Islam, converted to Sunni Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali.
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Ali was easily considered on of the greatest and most influential sports figures over the past century. He was named ‘Sports Personality of the Century’ by Sports Illustrated and ‘Sports Personality of the Century’ by the BBC.
Not just a fighter in the ring, Ali was a huge proponent for social change and rocked the boat when it came to the opposition of the Vietnam War. In 1967 Ali made headlines when he outright refused to take part in the military draft famously saying ‘I ain’t got no quarrel with them Viet Cong — no Viet Cong ever called me a nigger’. Those words sprung a movement, especially among African Americans to oppose the Vietnam War and open participation in the draft.
Bottom line, Ali’s impact on not just boxing but the World in general was one of a kind and there will probably be no one else like him ever again.
The Greatest can now rest in peace.
