2016 just turned a little more sour. Muhammad Ali, former world heavyweight champion, passed away on Saturday, after a long battle with Parkinson’s. Ali, one of the best-known sporting figures of the 20th century, was 74.
Ali was nicknamed “The Greatest,” and retired from boxing in 1981 with a record of 56 wins. His original name was Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, but changed his name in 1964 after his conversion to Islam.
The man had an eventful life, and a carefree, chilled-out persona, which reflected in his fights too. His punches were raw and on-point, both inside and outside the ring. We take a look at a few memorable ones.
“I am America. I am the part you won’t recognise. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; My name, not yours; My religion, not yours; My goals, my own; Get used to me” – Ali speaking against racism in the United States.
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His hands can’t hit what his eyes can’t see. Now you see me, now you don’t. George thinks he will, but I know he won’t” – Ali’s verse before fighting George Foreman in 1974.
“The draft is about white people sending black people to fight yellow people to protect the country they stole from the red people” – Ali refused to fight for the US in the Vietnam war. Due to this, he was convicted of draft evasion, sentenced to five years in prison, fined $10,000 and banned from boxing for three years.
“It’s just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up”
“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe”
“I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was. I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest”
Did Muhammad Ali inspire you too? Share your tribute to him in the comments below.
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