He also joined the Black Muslims and changed his name from Cassius Clay. Known as “The Greatest of All Time”, Ali was a heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist.
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“His fight outside the ring would cost him his title and his public standing”.
“He wasn’t flawless, of course”. Obama said he was too young to understand the brash fighter when that picture was taken.
The former heavyweight champion, who passed away late Friday after struggling for years with Parkinson’s, was “a man who fought for us”, the USA president said.
Following the death of Muhammad Ali, Dwayne Johnson explained his special connection with the boxing legend in a tribute on Instagram.
“When I was a rookie in the WWE, 1996, we were at a big function, and no one knew who I was”, he said (via USA Today).
“Later, as his physical powers ebbed, he became an even more powerful force for peace and reconciliation around the world. With an incomparable combination of principle, charm, wit and grace, he fought for a better world and used his platform to help lift up humanity”, Mr. Ban highlighted in a statement issued by his spokesperson.
Ali, as well-known for his boxing prowess as his notable quotes, suffered from Parkinson’s disease for decades.
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On his Twitter, Obama account posted a picture of himself earlier in his presidency, sitting underneath the photo he keeps of Ali.
