Published 06:55 IST, June 3rd 2020
ON THIS DAY: Muhammad Ali dies at the age of 74
On this day in 2016, boxing legend Muhammad Ali died ages 74
- SportFit
- 2 min read
On this day in 2016, boxing legend Muhammad Ali died ages 74.
Muhammad Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, suffered for years from Parkinson's Syndrome, a disease that ravaged his body but could never dim his larger-than-life presence.
He beat the invincible Sonny Liston, fought a string of thrilling fights with Joe Frazier and stopped George Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle" in Zaire.
He finished with a record of 56-5 with 37 knockouts and was the first man to win heavyweight titles three times.
But he paid a terrible price for the estimated 29,000 punches he took to his head during a career that made him perhaps the most recognized person in the world.
He engaged in some of the world's most iconic fights despite his career being interrupted for more than three years when he refused to be drafted for military service during the Vietnam War.
Despite his debilitating illness, he traveled the world to rapturous receptions even as the once-bellowing voice was reduced to a whisper and he was left to communicate with a wink or a weak smile.
The quiet of Ali's later life was in contrast to the roar of a career that had breathtaking highs as well as terrible lows.
Updated 06:55 IST, June 3rd 2020