Muhammad Ali dies, aged 74

[OrbitalDawn]

Link.

Muhammad Ali, the three-time heavyweight champion who proclaimed himself ‘The Greatest’, defied the US government over the Vietnam war, and later became one of the most well-known – and loved – sportsmen in history has died, his family spokesperson has said. He was 74.

Ali was admitted to hospital on Thursday with a respiratory problem – a move that was described at the time as “a precaution”. However, reports emerged 24 hours later which said he had been placed on a life support machine and his family “feared the worst”.

He had become increasingly frail since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984, aged 42, and in recent years had limited his public appearances. Earlier this month his brother Rahman Ali revealed that the condition was so advanced he could barely speak or leave his house.

As a sportsman he will be remembered for many classic fights – in particular beating the fearsome Sonny Liston to become champion; the Fight of the Century and the Thrilla in Manilla against Joe Frazier, and the Rumble in the Jungle in 1974 when, at the age of 32, he surprised everyone bar himself by cutting down George Foreman in Kinshasa to regain back his title.

 

[DanDango]

Sad day for Boxing

 

[mandana]

RIP legend

 

[zizo911]

Rip

 

[greg0205]

The Greatest. So sad.
Sixteen of the top twenty Twitter trends right now are Ali related... 2016 has not been a good year.

 

[RichardG]

RIP!

 

[midnightcaller]

RIP
What a legend !!!!

 

[AirWolf]

Rip.

 

[R13...]

RIP. So his entire family converted to Islam not just his own?

 

[greg0205]

 

[greg0205]

 

[greg0205]

Taken in '81. Ali noticed a commotion passing this building. Realised there was a guy up on the ninth floor threatening to commit suicide... Convinced the police to let him try to talk the guy down and then did exactly that!

 

[3Gee]

RIP , I was fortunate to have met him on his visit to CPT many moons ago

 

[TehStranger]

RIP to the greatest:

 

[crackersa]

Truly the greatest and has never been matched

 

[bandooq]

Taken in '81. Ali noticed a commotion passing this building. Realised there was a guy up on the ninth floor threatening to commit suicide... Convinced the police to let him try to talk the guy down and then did exactly that!

View attachment 366587

What a find egs.
What a Legend!
May his soul rest in peace.

 

[Vernon]

What a career. What a life.

 

[bandooq]

RIP , I was fortunate to have met him on his visit to CPT many moons ago

Are you serious!?
You lucky bloke you.

 

[bandooq]

RIP. So his entire family converted to Islam not just his own?

If that's the case, then his funeral may not be televised.

 

[etwylite]

Rope-a-dope Ali..RIP