According to Gunnell, Ali, 74, was admitted to a hospital Thursday because of respiratory issues and was in fair condition.
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Born as Cassius Clay, Ali is an Olmpic gold medalist and was once the World Heavyweight Champion.
Ali was convicted of draft evasion and sentenced to five years in prison, but never served time while the conviction was appealed.
His biggest payday came on October 10, 1980 in Las Vegas, where Ali fell by technical knockout to Holmes but earned a purse of $8 million, according to the Los Angeles Times. His infamous “Rope-A-Dope” fighting style was a timeless, one-of-a-kind maneuver that both gained him legions of fans and endless detractors.
“Like in the ring, Ali is a fighter on the ward”, the source added.
Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) backs Sonny Liston into the ropes and flails away with both fists during the heavyweight championship fight in Miami Beach, Florida on February 26, 1964.
March 31, 1973 – Loses NABF title to Ken Norton in the 12th round.
Three years after the Fight of the Century, Ali got revenge on Frazier and defeated Frazier. For the fight, Ali would pull down $6 million, which came roughly one year after his $5.45 million payday for defeating Foreman in “The Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire.
Then in 1978, Ali lost and once again regained the crown from Leon Spinks.
In 1991, Ali visited Iraqi President Saddam Hussein requesting the release of American soldiers. He is widely regarded as the greatest boxers and athletes of all time.
The Muhammad Ali Center, which he founded in his hometown of Louisville, promotes Ali’s humanitarian and educational mission and showcases his legacy as a boxer.
April 11, 2006 – Entertainment and licensing firm CKX announces that it is paying Ali $50 million in exchange for 80% of whatever it makes selling his name and likeness.
In 1996, Ali lit the Olympic torch at the Summer Olympic games in Atlanta. Ali was an awesome pugilist, but what made him special was how unique he was.
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In 2005, Ali was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was hospitalized in December 2014 with pneumonia.
