Muhammad Ali Dead At 74: Here’s His 30 Greatest Quotes

Muhammad Ali died at 74 years old after a 32 year battle with Parkinson’s disease:

Muhammad Ali, the self-proclaimed greatest boxer of all time, has died aged 74 after a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

The legendary fighter died with his family at his side on Friday evening, a day after he was rushed to hospital outside Phoenix, Arizona, with difficulty breathing.

‘After a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening,’ Ali’s spokesman said.

His legion of fans, celebrities and fellow boxers lined up to memorialize their icon but the most heartwarming tributes were paid by his family. His daughter Hana remembered her father as a “Humble Mountain!” with a ‘beautiful soul’.

Ali’s family said his funeral would be held in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, and thanked the public for their outpouring of support.

The three-time heavyweight champion, who was also a key figure in America’s civil rights movement, had been on life support in hospital, after he was found ‘barely breathing’ at his home on Thursday.

Read more: Daily Mail

Here were some of his most memorable fights:

Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier The Thrilla in Manila, Quezon City, The Philippines, October 1, 1975

The final instalment of the finest heavyweight trilogy saw Ali and Joe Frazier push each other to the brink and back again.

Ali was on top for the early exchanges, but Frazier and his trademark left hook gave his nemesis’ body such brutal attention in the middle rounds that The Greatest would later remark, ‘It was the closest thing to death’.

After the 10th, the champ was a beaten, broken man, slumped on his stool. It would get worse. The following round saw Ali trapped in Frazier’s corner, with Smokin’ Joe unleashing a torrent of punishment. ‘I hit him with punches that would have brought down the walls of a city,’ he said.

The Rumble in the Jungle: October 29, 1974, 20th of May Stadium, Kinshasa, Zaire

In the sweltering heat of Kinshasa, Ali faced the seemingly indomitable Foreman for his first title fight since first meeting Frazier.

Unbeaten in 40 fights, Foreman had made mincemeat of Frazier, knocking him down six times inside two rounds. He had intimidated Ken Norton too – the man who broke Ali’s jaw and took him 24 rounds in two fights – taking just five minutes to beat the former Marine.

Now aged 32, there were concerns for Ali’s safety against the devastating 25-year-old.

But a masterclass in pre-fight psychology saw the locals cheering on Ali (‘Ali bomaye,’ (‘Ali, kill him!’) they hollered ) while a bemused Foreman was jeered while walking his Alsatian – a symbol of the country’s colonial past.

Cassius Clay vs Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, September 5, 1960, Rome 

Cassius Marcellus Clay took some convincing to travel to Rome due to a fear of flying, but there was little doubt that the 18-year-old was destined for fame following his gold medal.

A record of 100 wins in 108 fights going into the Games meant many predicted Clay would win the light-heavyweight title. So it proved.

Showing his effusive personality in the Olympic village (he was known as the mayor, such was his determination to shake hands with everyone), Clay progressed to a final with portly Pole Zbigniew Pietrzykowski.

Initially stymied by his southpaw style, Clay took some heavy punishment in the opening round but adapted to his opponent – a trademark of his later career – in the second.

Knowing he needed a knockout in the final round, Clay attacked relentlessly. His opponent dazed by combinations and his speed, Clay drew blood and came close to that precious KO.

Muhammad Ali vs Ernie Terrell, February 6 1967, Astrodome, Houston

‘What’s my name?!’ Ali would bellow at the start of each round.

Despite knowing his opponent for the best part of 15 years, Ernie Terrell had made the mistake of calling Ali Cassius Clay in the build-up to the fight.  

To make matters worse, Terrell did not take too kindly to Ali refusing to serve his country, and the pair embarked upon an acrimonious build-up. 

During the fight, Ali was in no mood to let the 25-year-old WBA heavyweight champion forget it.

What emerged was a one-sided, often ugly fight, as an enraged Ali taunted his opponent and meted out a punishing, unanimous win against his former friend and sparring partner. 

See more: Daily Mail

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