Muhammad Ali Dead at 74: Top Quotes and a Look Back at the Boxing Legend's Career, Highlights and Memorable Fights

Boxing Great Gives in to Respiratory Complications

By Shay Parrish, CP Contributor Saturday, June 04, 2016

"The Greatest" in the boxing industry has tapped out to his respiratory illness on Friday. Muhammad Ali was 74.

Ali fought well in the past days after he was hospitalized due to respiratory complications, NBC News said. News spread that his condition was getting worse and that his battle was worsened with his struggle with Parkinson's disease.

"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," family spokesperson Bob Gunnell said.

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The once strong fighter inside the ring was slowly taken down by his illness. His Parkinson's affected not only his physical strength but also his mental abilities. However, before he ended up losing to Parkinson's, the boxer was known to be the best in his field thus the tag "the greatest."

Looking Back at His Boxing Career

Ali first fought using the name Cassius Clay in 1964, Los Angeles Times noted. At 22 years old, he defeated champion Sonny Liston and bagged the heavyweight championship belt.

The boxer changed his name to Muhammad Ali after converting to Islam. Ali was stripped of his title in 1967 after he expressed opposition to the Vietnam War and did not join the armed services. He did not fight for three years (1967 to 1970) and only returned after the Supreme Court allowed him to box again.

On March 8, 1971, he faced Joe Frazer in the match dubbed as the "Fight of the Century." Ali, for the first time in a unanimous decision, lost when Frazier knocked him out during the 15th round.

Four years later, he got his revenge when he defeated Frazier via a technical knockout in their October fight in the Philippines called "Thrilla in Manila." His name still lives near the game venue after a shopping mall (Ali Mall) was named after him for the historic fight.

Muhammad Ali hung up his gloves in 1981 after losing to Trevor Berbick. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's three years later.

Best Quotes

Aside from being a great boxer, Ali was also known for his wit and wisdom, as per Independent. Below are some of the quotations he was best known for:

On his boxing strategy:

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can't hit what the eyes can't see."

During a sermon at church:

"Why are all the angels white? Why ain't there no black angels?"

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."

"Don't count the days; make the days count."

Indeed, he made his days count when he was still living. Up to his last breath, the world knew him for his fighting spirit, advocacies and words of wisdom.