Breaking: Muhammad Ali, Boxing Legend, War Conscientious Objector, Dies at 74

‘The Greatest’ Had Been Hospitalized for Respiratory Issue

He called himself “The Greatest” and unlike many professional celebrities today, had every right to the claim. 

Muhammad Ali died Friday night at the age of 74, after being hospitalized for a respiratory issue on Thursday. 

Ali was born Cassius Clay on Jan. 17, 1942. He fought in the boxing ring but also fought for religious freedom, racial justice, and the rights of conscience. Ali refused to fight in the Vietnam War, citing his personal beliefs against the war and his religious beliefs. He took that fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, and won that battle also. Ali won an Olympic Gold Medal in 1960, won the world heavyweight title in 1964, 1974, and 1978, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. 

Last year Ali responded to Donald Trump’s call to ban all Muslims from the U.S.

“I am a Muslim and there is nothing Islamic about killing innocent people in Paris, San Bernardino, or anywhere else in the world,” Ali said. “True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so called Islamic Jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion.”

 

This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.

 

Images (Left, Right) via Wikimedia