Muhammad Ali dies at age 74

After a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, boxing legend Muhammad Ali rests in peace.

Muhammad Ali, the charismatic heavyweight boxing champion whose innovative fighting style, outspoken personality and brash yet playful public persona made him one of the most recognized and iconic figure in the 20th century dies at the age of 74.

Muhammad Ali dies at age 74

The boxing legend died this Saturday morning. His funeral will take place in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The Ali family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support and asks for privacy at this time.

Ali won a gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics and the heavyweight title a record-setting three times in his 22-year career. A very recognizable name in boxing and sports in general that even those who don’t follow sports know that Muhammad Ali was, in his words, “the greatest”.

Sports Illustrated crowned him “Sportsman of the Century” and BBC named him “Sports Personality of the Century”. Ali started boxing when a police officer advised him to learn to fight first when the officer heard the 12-year old Ali threatening to kill the person who stole his bike.

During his professional boxing career, Ali fought Joe Frazier three times. In 1975, Ali and Frazier fought each other in the famous “Thrilla in Manila” bout where the temperature closed in on 100 degrees fahrenheit. One of the most exciting fights in boxing history, Ali won by TKO in the 15th round. "That was the closest thing to dying that I know of," Ali said of the fight. He couldn't even stand for the post-fight interview, during which he called Frazier "the greatest fighter of all times" – before adding, "next to me."

Watch that historic fight here.

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