A distraught Azumah Nelson said he saw Ali as a father and friend adding that “When I heard of his death I felt sad and at the same time I felt happy because he was sick and we were all praying that he got well but I heard that he had passed away and I said that thanks be to God”.
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Elliott recalled the comical side of the former boxing champion and global humanitarian, who died Friday night at an Arizona hospital.
“The sanitizing of Ali’s image in recent years has led many to forget that he was reviled by many during the 1960s for his conversion to Islam and for his refusal to be inducted into the U.S. armed forces”, said Frank Guridy, a visiting associate professor of history at Columbia University.
Former president Bill Clinton and comedian Billy Crystal are due to speak at Friday’s ceremonies.
Ali’s daughter Hana said her father’s heart kept beating 30 minutes after his other organs failed.
“Our hearts are literally hurting. He’s free now but his spirit is with us and it will stay with us for a long, long time”.
“(He) will not only be remembered as the greatest boxer of all time, but also as a peace builder who stood up against racial oppression and worked continuously for peace, unity and reconciliation”, Omar said.
When Ali was in South Africa 19 years ago, he visited the Gatesville Mosque. He was by then (1994) an enlarged shadow of his former self, yet he was considered the person that people worldwide would most like to meet.
In an interview, Ali said that if he had known “Holmes was going to whip me and damage my brain, I would not have fought him”.
They say he was not just a boxing champion – he was a true fighter for human rights and social justice.
Ali’s family removed him from life support on Friday, Gunnell said.
“It was brilliant to have a world icon here, someone who overcame many challenges to be the best, and it is important that we pay tribute to him”, said Parker.
The ’96 Games also were special for Ali because he was presented with a new gold medal after he lost the one he won in the 1960 Olympics in Rome.
Over his 21-year career, he had 56 wins in 61 fights, including 37 knockouts.
He took the name of Muhammad Ali after converting to Islam in 1964, soon after he had stunned the sport by claiming the world title with a monumental upset of Liston. It frightened her, she said, expecting the famed boxer would be intimidating.
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Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, Ali dazzled fans with slick moves in the ring and his wit and engaging persona outside it.
