Boxing legend Muhammad Ali is dead at 74

Not so fast — (Image credit: Photo by Kent Gavin/Keystone/Getty Images)

Muhammad Ali, one of the world's greatest boxers and one of the 20th century's biggest personalities, died Friday night in Phoenix, after being hospitalized for respiratory problems. He was 74. Ali, born Cassius Clay, changed his name and converted to Islam in 1964, right after beating Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title, the first of three times he won the title. Ali's boxing career was briefly put on hold when he refused to serve in the Vietnam War in 1967, then ended for good when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984.

During his career he amassed a 56-5 record with 37 knockouts, and fought in some of the most famous boxing matches in history, including the "Rumble in the Jungle" in Zaire against George Foreman and the "Thrilla in Manilla" against Joe Frazier. Ali's funeral will be Wednesday in Louisville, Kentucky, his hometown.

Article continues below

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

YouTube

Watch On

Explore More

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.