Ali, pe numele sau adevarat Cassius Clay, suferea de aproape 30 de ani de maladia Parkinson si a fost spitalizat de doua ori, in ultimii 3 ani, pentru o pneumonie si o infectie urinara.
Regele de necontestat al categoriei, cel supranumit "The greatest" - cel mai mare -, a socat opinia publica din Statele Unite in 1967. Atunci a refuzat sa faca serviciul militar si sa lupte in razboiul din Vietnam, din cauza convingerilor sale religioase.
El a fost incarcerat, deposedat de titluri si a primit interdictia de a boxa timp de trei ani si jumatate.
Vestea ca pugilistul a incetat din viata a intristat o lume intreaga, iar mesajele de condoleante ale marilor sportivi, vedetelor sau fanilor au inceput sa curga pe retelele de socializare.
Bob Arum, unul dintre cei mai mari promoteri ai boxului, i-a adus un omagiu lui Muhammad Ali pe Twitter:
A true great has left us. @MuhammadAli transformed this country and impacted the world with his spirit. pic.twitter.com/ByNZYhM2ro
— Bob Arum (@BobArum) June 4, 2016
Myke Tyson: "Dumnezeu a venit dupa campionul sau. Ramas bun!"
God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli #TheGreatest #RIP pic.twitter.com/jhXyqOuabi
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) June 4, 2016
George Foreman, unul dintre cei mai mari rivali ai lui Ali, i-a adus un omagiu emotionant: "O parte din mine a disparut", a scris pugilistul pe Twitter.
Ralph Ali, Frazier & Foreman we were 1 guy. A part of me slipped away, "The greatest piece" https://t.co/xVKOc9qtub
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) June 4, 2016
Fostul campion WBC Frank Bruno a postat pe Twitter o imagine in care apare alaturi de Muhammad Ali. Fotografia a aparut cu putin timp inainte ca reprezentantul sportivului sa confirme public decesul acestuia.
Wishing The Champ well that cheeky sense of humour he said 2 me "your good looking but not as good looking as me" pic.twitter.com/KNBqeNswtj
— Frank Bruno MBE (@frankbrunoboxer) June 3, 2016
Prezentatorul radio Skip Dillard: "Multumesc, campionule!"
Thank You "Champ"! You've Inspired us all! for so long; RIP!-Boxing legend Muhammad Ali dies at 74 https://t.co/5LLJDahAtQ via @freep
— Skip Dillard (@mixcom) June 4, 2016
Orasul sau natal, Louisville, ii va aduce un tribut marelui boxeur, a anuntat primarul:
To honor Muhammad Ali's life & work, flags at all Metro Government facilities will be lowered to half-staff at 10am pic.twitter.com/Qm5xjkk6qr
— Mayor Greg Fischer (@louisvillemayor) June 4, 2016
Manny Pacquiao: "Am pierdut un gigant. Boxul a beneficiat de pe urma talentului lui Muhammad Ali, dar nu la fel de mult cum a beneficiat omenirea de pe urma umanitatii sale"
Manny Pacquiao releases a statement on the passing of Muhammad Ali. pic.twitter.com/hRa2kM3CLr
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 4, 2016
Always my favorite. Always the greatest. @MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/thjZHGS4iU
— Adonis Stevenson (@AdonisSuperman) June 4, 2016
R.I.P. To the G.O.A.T. My man hero Muhammad Ali.... pic.twitter.com/YCGjWdWR6l
— Andre Berto (@AndreBerto) June 4, 2016
Rest in peace to my biggest inspiration pic.twitter.com/gqIuuxSpC1
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 4, 2016
Muhammad Ali has passed away. This is his legendary quote on why he refused to serve in the murderous Vietnam War. pic.twitter.com/9NNmWNztAI
— Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) June 4, 2016