RIP!!! Click Here To See How Mohammad Ali wanted people to remember him
How world
remembers Ali
In 1967, Ali took the momentous
decision of opposing the US war in Vietnam, a move that was widely criticized
by his fellow Americans.
He refused to be drafted into the US
military and was subsequently stripped of his world title and boxing license.
He would not fight again for nearly four years.
After his conviction for refusing
the draft was overturned in 1971, Ali returned to the ring and fought in three
of the most iconic contests in boxing history, helping restore his reputation
with the public.
He was handed his first professional
defeat by Joe Frazier in the "Fight of the Century" in New York on 8
March 1971, only to regain his title with an eighth-round knockout of George
Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle" in Kinshasa, Zaire (now
Democratic Republic of Congo) on 30 October 1974.
Media caption Ali speaks to the BBC
before the Rumble in the Jungle Image copyright AP Image caption Muhammad Ali
was crowned Sportsman of the Century in 1999
Ali fought Frazier for a third and
final time in the Philippines on 1 October 1975, coming out on top in the
"Thrilla in Manila" when Frazier failed to emerge for the 15th and
final round.
Six defenses of his title followed
before Ali lost on points to Leon Spinks in February 1978, although he regained
the world title by the end of the year, avenging his defeat at the hands of the
1976 Olympic light-heavyweight champion.
Ali's career ended with one-sided
defeats by Larry Holmes in 1980 and Trevor Berbick in 1981, many thinking he
should have retired long before.
He fought a total of 61 times as a
professional, losing five times and winning 37 bouts by knockout.
Media caption Muhammad Ali lights
Atlanta flame
Soon after retiring, rumours began
to circulate about the state of Ali's health. His speech had become slurred, he
shuffled and he was often drowsy.
Parkinson's Syndrome was eventually
diagnosed but Ali continued to make public appearances, receiving warm welcomes
wherever he travelled.
He lit the Olympic cauldron at the
1996 Games in Atlanta and carried the Olympic flag at the opening ceremony for
the 2012 Games in London.
How
Ali wanted people to remember him
"I would like to be remembered
as a man who won the heavyweight title three times, who was humorous and who
treated everyone right. As a man who never looked down on those who looked up
to him...who stood up for his beliefs...who tried to unite all humankind
through faith and love.
"And if all that's too much,
then I guess I'd settle for being remembered only as a great boxer who became a
leader and a champion of his people. And I wouldn't even mind if folks forgot
how pretty I was."
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