Muhammad Ali "I'm The Greatest" Has Died

Shoshin

Rest in peace Muhammad Ali ...and...."Float like a Butterfly"
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11650743

DairyLama

He used to talk a lot about whipping his friend Joe, but it takes all sorts I suppose.

Cinorjer

One of the most divisive figures of my generation. Got caught up in that whole Vietnam protest thing, then topped that off with converting to Nation of Islam and changing his name to Muhammad. This was before the whole "all Muslims are terrorists" thing and instead our nation was locked in an "all Communists are evil" cold war, so that was okay with most people. Even racist white folk had to agree he was the best heavyweight fighter of his time. Combine that with his hammy acting in front of the cameras and his round babyface, and people couldn't help rooting for him in the end.

Thing is, he was softspoken and you wouldn't feel threatened by him if you invited him home to dinner, unlike some fighters like Mike Tyson who always seem one bad remark away from pounding someone.

silver

I didn't even recognize him in his latest picture.

Even I like him and I hate boxing...unique personality for a fighter, I guess.

R.I.P. Mr. Ali.

genkaku

Strictly my (blog) take:

Muhammad Ali, a man of conviction who was willing to suffer the arrows of that conviction, died yesterday at the age of 74. Though he may have been the greatest heavyweight boxer of all times, his actions (and the big mouth to go with it) made it clear he was nobody's pet nigger. An honorable man.

Ali died near Phoenix, Ariz., after being hospitalized earlier in the week with respiratory problems. He had also suffered from Parkinson's for 20 or more years.

Born Cassius Clay, Ali converted first to Islam and then to Sufism and, in 1967, refused to be conscripted into the U.S. military. He cited his religious beliefs and was stripped for four years of his heavy-weight-champion status before a Supreme Court ruling upheld his conscientious-objector claims. Outside the ring he stood boldly for blacks.

He was a man of substance despite the substance heaped upon him.

What an athlete.

What a man.

person

His mamma call him Clay, imma call him Clay.

grackle

For sure he was one hell of a mensch. I use to visit the 5th street gym. I never got to see Ali but Angelo Dundee was there once in a while. You could see the up and comers there as well as the also ran. Ali's daugfter is also in the game.

Lionduck

Early self-promotion aside, he was a great boxer, a great athlete and he became a great positive role model for many youths of this nation and the world.
Peace and honor to you, Ali.