Boxing champ Muhammad Ali remembered on his 4th death-anniversary
June 3, 2020 05:05 PM
Arguably the most iconic boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali, is remembered on his 4th death anniversary.
His achievements in the ring were plentiful, Ali's most famous victories came in the Thrilla in Manila (1975) against Joe Frazier, and the Rumble in the Jungle (1974), in which he stunningly defeated George Foreman. The latter attracted an estimated one billion TV viewers.
Ali was renowned for his charisma, showmanship and quick wit, while he also wrote poetry and enjoyed success as a musician.
The heavyweight boxer was born on June 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. He started his in-ring career at the age of 12 years after which he never looked back.
He was full of complexities, building a reputation as a fighter, yet he also became one of the most prominent anti-war activists who were stripped of his boxing license when he refused to fight in the Vietnam War.
He made a career on delivering knockout punches, but he became an endearing soul as he stood, with his arm shaking, in Atlanta’s Olympic Stadium to light the cauldron.
Ali’s in-ring style was unique. He used to take full advantage of his quick feet and punches. He won 37 out of his 61 fights which included knock outs.
Some of his famous fights include Thrilla in Manila, The Rumble in the Jungle and The Last Hurrah.
The boxing legend refused to get inducted in the United States military after which he was arrested and stripped off his championship. His conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court of the United States, private news channels reported.
He campaigned for charity organizations as well as people affected by hunger after retiring from boxing.
The athlete was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984. His situation deteriorated and he finally passed away on June 3, 2016.