Tributes have poured in for Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest sportsmen of all time, who has died at the age of 74. The three-time heavyweight boxing champion of the world, who won a gold medal at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games, passed away late on Friday (3 June).

He had been admitted to a hospital in the US city of Phoenix on Thursday suffering from a respiratory illness, a condition that was complicated by Parkinson’s disease.

Widely regarded as the best boxer in the history of the sport, Ali was also one of the towering social, political and cultural figures of the 20th century. By campaigning for civil rights, opposing the war in Vietnam and converting to Islam in the 1960s, he became a key counter culture icon of that era.

“Muhammad Ali shook up the world. And the world is better for it”

US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle

Ali’s speed, skill and braveness in the ring, epitomised by his stunning victory over George Foreman in the 1974 world title fight in Kinshasa – known as ‘the Rumble in the Jungle’ – earned him respect among sports fans across the planet. His legendary quick wit, playful sense of humour and perceptive social commentary meant that he transcended sport. His life has been celebrated in countless articles, books, films and songs.

Ali was also a key figure in Olympic history. Having almost missed the 1960 Games because of his fear of flying, he burst into the public consciousness at the age of 18 with his mixture of playful boastfulness and boxing ability as he won the light-heavyweight title.

 Ali, then known as Cassius Clay (second from right) on the podium in Rome in 1960 (Photo: Getty Images)

He was known in that era by his birth name of Cassius Clay, but after converting to Islam, he discarded what he perceived to be his “slave name” and became Cassius X and then Muhammad Ali.

Although he was visibly struck by Parkinson’s in the later stages of his life, Ali continued to make public appearances.  He lit the Olympic cauldron at the Atlanta 1996 Games and carried the Olympic flag at the opening ceremony of London 2012.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach paid tribute to Ali, saying: “He was an athlete who touched the hearts of people across the globe, an athlete who was engaged beyond sport, an athlete who had the courage to give hope to so many suffering illness by lighting the Olympic cauldron and not hiding his own affliction. He was an athlete who fought for peace and tolerance – he was a true Olympian.”

Ali lights the Olympic cauldron at the Atlanta 1996 Games (Photo: Getty Images)

Ali fought 61 times as a professional, losing on just five occasions and winning 37 bouts by knockout. He was elected Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated and Sports Personality of the Century by the BBC.

Asked how he would like to be remembered, Ali had said: “As a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him... who stood up for his beliefs... who tried to unite all humankind through faith and love.

“And if all that’s too much, then I guess I’d settle for being remembered only as a great boxer who became a leader and a champion of his people. And I wouldn’t even mind if folks forgot how pretty I was.”

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