Muhammad Ali [Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.], the legendary boxer who proclaimed himself “The Greatest” and was among the most famous and beloved athlete on earth, died Friday in Phoenix, a family spokesman said.
Ali had been at a hospital since Thursday with what spokesman Bob Gunnell had described as a respiratory complications.
“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, “Gunnell said in a statement. The Ali family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support and asks for privacy at this time.”
Known globally not only for his storied ring career but also for his civil rights activism Ali had been hospitalized several times in recent years.
He spent time in hospital in 2014 after suffering a mild case of pneumonia and again in 2015 for urinary tract infection.
His Parkinson’s , thought to be linked to the thousands of punches he took during brutal career studded by bruising battle inside the ropes, had limited his public speaking for years.
But he continued to make appearances and offer opinions through his family members and spokespeople.
In April, he attended a Celebrity Fight Night Dinner in Phoenix that raised funds for treatment of Parkinson’s.
In December, he issued a statement rebuking US presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States.
“Muhammad Ali transformed this country and impacted the world with his spirit,” said longtime boxing promoter Bob Arum. “His legacy will be part of our history for all time.”-Agence France-Presse.
Sousce:Yahoosport
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