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.
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