The world lost an icon on Friday night, with the passing of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. “The Greatest of all time” battled Parkinson’s disease for over three decades before ultimately succumbing to respiratory issues in a Phoenix area hospital. He was 74 years old.
Around 9:00 PM PST Ali passed away surrounded by friends and family. His daughter Hana Ali left the following message on Instagram.
The boxing legend and civil rights activist made history not only for his skills in the ring, but his brash and boastful demeanor. Ali never backed off from a statement, especially when it involved social, political, and racial issues.
ESPN’s Chris Broussard spoke with LeBron James who expressed the importance of Ali’s use of his platform and celebrity that extended far beyond the world of boxing.
James also touched on how Ali, among others, were the ones who paved the way for African-American athletes.
Muhammad Ali on other athletes: pic.twitter.com/wuuhBCOF38
— Charles Preston (@BellicoseGarvey) June 4, 2016
“It’s what he did outside of the ring, what he believed in, what he stood for, along with Jim Brown and Oscar Robertson, Lew Alcindor — obviously, who became Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] — Bill Russell, Jackie Robinson. Those guys stood for something. He’s part of the reason why African-Americans today can do what we do in the sports world. We’re free. They allow us to have access to anything we want. It’s because of what they stood for, and Muhammad Ali was definitely the pioneer for that.”
During his career, Muhammad Ali – who began his career as Cassius Clay before converting to Islam at the ago of 22,and changing his name – had 56 victories, 37 of them by knockout, and five losses. He held the world championship three different times.
