MUHAMMAD Ali, who died aged 74 after battling Parkinson’s disease for 32 years, leaves behind an astonishing legacy of unforgettable sporting performances.
He was considered to be the greatest boxer of his generation and played a monumental role in defining the sport.
33
Photographers around the world have captured the mesmerised grace and power of Muhammad Ali the boxerCredit: Getty Images
Ali was born in Kentucky as Cassius Clay but changed his name when he converted to Islam later in life.
He learnt to box as a teenager and carved a niche for himself as a professional.
Renowned for the Ali Shuffle – a foot manoeuvre designed to outwit his opponents – he went on to become the first person to win the heavyweight championship of the world three times.
His astounding record was a total of 56 wins and five losses – beating the likes of Joe Frazier, Ken Norton and George Foreman.
Photographers around the world have captured the mesmerised grace and power of Ali the boxer and also the incredible amount of hard work, dedication and personal sacrifice that went into each fight.
We take a look back at the life of one of the world’s most photographed iconic sports figures in pictures.
33
A portrait of heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali as he trains for an upcoming fight against Earnie Shavers, 1979Credit: Corbis
33
Ali was one of the giant figures of the 20th century whose name will forever be revered by future generationsCredit: Popperfoto
33
Aerial view of Muhammad Ali victorious after round three knockout of Cleveland Williams during fight at AstrodomeCredit: Getty Images
33
The heavyweight boxer throws bare-handed punches in the ring while in training for his fight against Brian London in London, 1966Credit: Getty Images
33
Checking himself out in a mirror during a training session in Manila, PhilippinesCredit: AP:Associated Press
33
Ali fends off a kick from wrestler Antonio Inoki during an exhibition fight in Tokyo, Japan, 1976Credit: Getty Images
33
Out of the ring Ali was a family man, here he is pictured with his daughters Laila and HannaCredit: Getty Images
33
Ali against Ken Norton in 1973Credit: WENN
33
Ali poised with anticipationCredit: Getty Images
33
The boxing legend takes on the Beatles (from left to right, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and Paul McCartney) in Miami, 1964Credit: Getty Images
Ali, who dominated boxing for 21 years of his life and inspired a generation of fighters, also made headlines outside of the ring.
In 1967, he refused to join the American military to fight in the Vietnam War on account of his religion.
When asked why he refused to serve in South East Asia, he cried: “I ain’t got no quarrel with them Viet Cong. No Vietcong ever called me a n*****.”
Related Stories
Ali was sentenced to five years in prison – a sentence he never served on account of a series of appeals.
The champ was stripped of his world titles and had his boxing license revoked – he was by all accounts finished.
But a Supreme Court ruling overturned the ruling against the backdrop of an increasingly unpopular war – and soon he was back in the ring dominating the sport.
33
The champ holds up three fingers while reciting poem predicting that opponent Charlie Powell will fall in third roundCredit: Getty Images
33
In the spotlight: The star at his West End Hotel during his stay in London to fight Henry Cooper, 1966Credit: Getty Images
33
Ali training in Zurich for a fight with his twin daughters Jamillah and RashedaCredit: Getty Images
33
Muhammad Ali poses a portrait in 1964Credit: Getty Images
33
Give me a five: Ali in his hotel room holding up five fingers to show how many rounds it will take him to knock out British boxer Henry Cooper in 1963Credit: Getty Images
33
This was the moment Ali claimed ‘I am the Greatest, I shook up the world’Credit: Getty Images
33
His astounding record was a total of 56 wins and five lossesCredit: Getty Images
33
Ali gives six-year-old Patrick Power boxing lessons in order to combat bullies at homeCredit: Getty Images
Once asked how he would like to be remembered, he said: “As a man who never sold out his people.
“But if that’s too much, then just a good boxer. I won’t even mind if you don’t mention how pretty I was.”
Ali family spokesman Bob Gunnell said: “After a 32 year battle with Parkinson’s disease, Muhammad Ali at the age of 74.
“The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening.”
33
Throughout his 21-year career he represented everything that was magnificent and magicalCredit: Getty Images
33
Ali meets eight-month old Maria Morin in a training session at the Territorial Army Gymnasium at White City, London, 1966Credit: Getty Images
33
1965: Ali raises his fists in victory, while the ref stands over defeated Sonny ListonCredit: Getty Images
33
Eighteen-year-old Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) raises his arm in victory after knocking out Gary Jawish in the 1960Credit: Getty Images
33
The ex-boxer Muhammad Ali veeing fingers in front of Pyramids of GizaCredit: Getty Images
33
Ali carrying his mother Odessa Lee ClayCredit: Getty Images
33
Ali meets a young fan during training for his 1974 Rumble in the Jungle clash with George ForemanCredit: Eyevine
33
Dazed Ali struggles to stand during his heavyweight championship with Joe Frazier in New York City, 1971Credit: PA:Press Association
33
Ali dominated boxing for 21 years of his life and inspired a generation of fightersCredit: Getty Images
33
Once asked how he would like to be remembered, he said: ‘As a man who never sold out his people’Credit: Getty Images
33
Ali’s sad death was confirmed by a family relative on Saturday morningCredit: Getty Images
He passed way in hospital in Arizona, USA, with his fourth wife Yolanda – known as Lonnie – and his seven daughters and two sons at his bedside.
He had children – Maryum, Rasheda, Jamillah, Hana, Laila, Khaliah, Miya, Muhammad Junior – with his first three wives and adopted Assad, then aged five, after marrying Lonnie in 1986.
Leading the tributes, retired boxer George Foreman, his rival in the famous Rumble in the Jungle fight told the BBC: “We were like one guy – part of me is gone.”
He added: “Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest human beings I have ever met. No doubt he was one of the best people to have lived in this day and age. To put him as a boxer is an injustice.”
33
Former South African President Nelson Mandela came face-to-face with Ali in 2005Credit: Rex Features
33
One of his last public appearances was at the London Olympics in July 2012Credit: Reuters
33
Ali passed way in hospital in Arizona, USA, with his fourth wife Yolanda – known as Lonnie – and his seven daughters and two sons at his bedsideCredit: Reuters
One of his last public appearances was at the London Olympics in July 2012, where – supported by Lonnie – he helped carry the Olympic flag.
Earlier this year he was too ill to attend the opening of an exhibition of his life at the O2 in London.
The funeral will take place in Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
The real winners are those who avoid tying themselves in knots arguing about inane topics like who should or shouldn’t be allowed to call themselves “world champions”…
After the Detroit Lions beat the Los Angeles Rams in last year’s Wild Card round for the franchise’s first playoff win since 1991, head coach Dan Campbell encapsulated…
The ever-evolving situation between Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers has had several twists and turns. Aiyuk and the Niners have recently reinitiated contraction negotiations, meaning the stud…
The two sporting legends came together for a mega entry at a legendary singer’s concert. On Friday night, NFL legend Tom Brady was accompanied by boxing legend Mike…
