Boxing legend Muhammad Ali passes away

The 74-year-old former heavyweight world champion was born on 17th January, 1942 at Louisville, Kentucky and started training when he was 12 years old.

Ali won the heavyweight championship three times in his career (1964, 1968 and 1978) and is the only three-time lineal championship). He won his first title by defeating Sunny Liston in 1964.

Ali fascinated the fans with his unique boxing style in the ring and personality outside it.

His rivalries with Joe Frazier, Sunny Liston and George Foreman are considering one of the greatest in the sport. Some of his famous matches include “Thriller in Manila” and “Rumble in the Jungle”.

The song Black Superman (Muhammad Ali) has also been dedicated to the boxing great.

He was banned from competing in the ring for several years after he opposed the Vietnam War.

Ali was criticized for converting to Islam and his outspoken stance on civil rights.

The boxing legend lit the Olympic torch in 1996 in Atlanta and was named a UN messenger of peace in 1998.

He received the highest US civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2005.

He rushed to a medical facility on Thursday. US media reported his respiratory trouble was complicated by his Parkinson’s disease. The boxing great was hospitalized multiple times in recent years.

Ali was treated for pneumonia in 2014 at a hospital and was re-admitted for treatment of a urinary tract infection in 2015.

He was also suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, which is said to have developed due to the punches he received throughout his riveting boxing career. This affected his speaking capabilities.

However, the boxing great continued to make public appearances and shared his views and opinions on social issues.

#MuhammadAli becomes top trend on Twitter

Muhammad Ali was not just a champion in the ring – he was a champion of civil rights, and a role model for so many people.

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 4, 2016

Saddened to hear of Muhammad Ali’s death – the greatest sportsman of all times. Ali had great talent, was highly intelligent & courageous1/2

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 4, 2016

2/2 Ali was a man of strong convictions. He refused to fight in Vietnam saying the memorable words: “no Vietcong ever called me a nigger”.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 4, 2016

Float like a butterfly & sting like a bee – goodbye @MuhammadAli #RIPChamp

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 4, 2016

May the Almighty grant the champion #MuhammadAli forgiveness and Paradise . Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.

— Mohammad Yousaf (@yousaf1788) June 4, 2016

Sad to hear about the legend Mr Muhammad Ali.. My prayers are with his family… May Allah grant him jannat e firdaous… #RIPMuhammadAli

— Junaid khan 83 (@JunaidkhanREAL) June 4, 2016

Muhammad Ali was more than a great boxer. Inspiration and example for many around the world. RIP pic.twitter.com/wAKYSBM9ZN

— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) June 4, 2016

RIP Muhammad Ali…The Greatest of all Time pic.twitter.com/PVUqODDaYa

— Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivek_oberoi) June 4, 2016

People don’t realize what they had got till its gone . There was no one like him RIP Muhammad Ali pic.twitter.com/JCe0oqtssC

— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) June 4, 2016

RIP Muhammad Ali. You will always mean something special to me, Africa and the world. Thank you for all you did. 🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/HFKfmi17Pq

— Yaya Touré (@YayaToure) June 4, 2016

A special message about @MuhammadAli, he was a great fighter and a inspirational human being. RIP champ. pic.twitter.com/193kylBoyq

— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) June 4, 2016

Great man Muhammad Ali lost his last fight but will be in our hearts for ever. ” float like a butterfly sting like a bee” #RIPMuhammadAli

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) June 4, 2016

Ina lillah wa inna alyhe rajeun! Extremely saddened to hear about the death of #MuhammadAli.May Allah give you highest ranks in Heaven Ameen

— Abdul Razzaq (@RazzaqOfficial) June 4, 2016

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” 👑 #RIP Muhammad Ali (Vine by @LeBronJames) https://t.co/SJD9FP9v3A

— Rimikz Brklyn Carter (@NanaRimikz) June 4, 2016

RIP Muhammad Ali. You were an exemplary sportsperson & source of inspiration who demonstrated the power of human spirit & determination.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 4, 2016

God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli #TheGreatest #RIP pic.twitter.com/jhXyqOuabi

— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) June 4, 2016

Muhammad Ali is dead at 74! A truly great champion and a wonderful guy. He will be missed by all!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2016