R.I.P.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali dies age 74Herald-Sun
4 June 2016MUHAMMAD Ali, the greatest boxer of his generation, has died at age 74 surrounded by family and friends in a Phoenix hospital.
In 1999, Ali was crowned “Sportsman of the Century” by Sports Illustrated. He won the World Heavyweight Boxing championship three times, as well as an Olympic gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
His last formal public appearance before that was in October when he appeared at the Sports Illustrated Tribute to Muhammad Ali at The Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, along with former opponents George Foreman and Larry Holmes.
Ali had suffered from Parkinson’s for three decades, most famously trembling badly while lighting the Olympic torch in 1996 in Atlanta. Despite the disease he kept up a busy appearance schedule until recently, though he has not spoken in public for years.
Doctors say the Parkinson’s likely was caused by the thousands of punches Ali took during a career in which he travelled the world for big fights.
An iconic figure who at one point was perhaps the most recognised person in the world, Ali had lived quietly in the Phoenix area with his fourth wife, Lonnie, whom he married in 1986.
MUHAMMAD ALI TIMELINEJanuary 17, 1942 - Born Cassius Marcellus Clay in Louisville, Kentucky.
1960 - Wins Olympic gold medal in the light heavyweight division.
October 29, 1960 - Turns professional and beats Tunney Hunsaker in six rounds.
1964 - Beats Sonny Liston as a 22-year- old underdog to become the youngest ever world heavyweight champion.
1964 - Converts to Nation of Islam and changes name to Muhammad Ali.
1967 - Publically vilified and stripped of world title for opposing the Vietnam War and refusing to be conscripted into the army.
1970 - Ali returns to the ring and beats Jerry Quarry in three rounds.
1971 - Loses bout dubbed the ‘fight of the century’ against Joe Frazier after being knocked down in the 15th round.
1974 - Wins rematch against Frazier.
1974 - The ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ Beats George Foreman in the eighth round in a fight no one expected him to win.
1975 - Takes on Joe Frazier a third time in the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ Ali won in 14 brutal rounds.
1978 - Wins a rematch against Leon Spinks to become first heavyweight to win the title three times.
1979 - Announces retirement from boxing but returns to fight Larry Holmes in 1980.
Begins experiencing vocal stutters and trembling hands.
December 21, 1981 - Ali fights for the last time, losing a 10-round decision against Trevor Berbick. Finishes career with record of 56 wins (37 by knockout) and five losses.
1984 - Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
1996 - Lights flame at Atlanta Olympic Games.
1998 - Designated as a UN Messenger of Peace, a role in which he will visit more than 100 during his tenure.
1999 - Named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Century.
2005 - Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his achievements throughout his life and “principled service to mankind”.
2012 - Is a titular bearer of the Olympic flag in London.
December 20, 2014 - Hospitalised for a few days with a mild case of pneumonia.
January 15, 2015 - Spends a day in hospital with a severe infection.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/boxing-mma/world-mourns-death-of-boxing-legend-muhammad-ali-dead-age-74/news-story/bd99b5b3799b198f0f0a997bf56ed797
