ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74 years while being treated for respiratory illness at a hospital.
The 74-year-old former heavyweight world champion was born on January 17, 1942 at Louisville, Kentucky and started training when he was 12 years old.
Muhammad Ali, originally known as Cassius Clay, won the heavyweight championship three times in his career (1964, 1968 and 1978) and is the only three-time lineal championship). He won his first title by defeating Sunny Liston in 1964.
Ali fascinated the fans with his unique boxing style in the ring and personality outside it.
His rivalries with Joe Frazier, Sunny Liston and George Foreman are considering one of the greatest in the sport. Some of his famous matches include “Thriller in Manila” and “Rumble in the Jungle”.
The song Black Superman (Muhammad Ali) has also been dedicated to the boxing great.
The boxing legend lit the Olympic torch in 1996 in Atlanta and was named a United Nations messenger of peace in 1998.
He received the highest US civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2005.
“Muhammad Ali transformed this country and impacted the world with his spirit,” said longtime boxing promoter Bob Arum. “His legacy will be part of our history for all time.”
