R.I.P! Muhammad Ali Passes Away

Piece by: Caren Nyota
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The world's greatest boxer Muhammad Ali has died aged 74 after a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease.

The legendary boxer - widely regarded as the best of all time - died with his family at his side on Friday evening, a day after he was rushed to hospital with difficulty breathing.

'After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening,' Ali's spokesman told NBC News.

Ali's family said his funeral would be held in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, and thanked the public for their outpouring of support.

Ali had been on life support at a hospital outside Phoenix, Arizona, after he was found 'barely breathing' at his home on Thursday.

He was taken to hospital with an 'unshakeable cough', a separate source said, with his fatal respiratory problems likely to have been complicated by his Parkinson's disease.

The legendary boxer - widely regarded as the best of all time - died with his family at his side on Friday evening, a day after he was rushed to hospital with difficulty breathing.

'After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening,' Ali's spokesman told NBC News.

Ali's family said his funeral would be held in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, and thanked the public for their outpouring of support.

Ali had been on life support at a hospital outside Phoenix, Arizona, after he was found 'barely breathing' at his home on Thursday.

He was taken to hospital with an 'unshakeable cough', a separate source said, with his fatal respiratory problems likely to have been complicated by his Parkinson's disease.

The Greatest was surrounded by his family, who rushed to be at his bedside on Friday after doctors warned his condition was 'rapidly deteriorating', a source said.

It was earlier reported that Ali's family had started making funeral arrangements after doctors warned that he was just hours from death.

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His third wife Veronica Porsche told Radar Online on Friday that her two daughters with Ali - Laila and Hana - were on their way to see their father. They are believed to have arrived in time to see him before he died.

Ali's second wife, Khalilah, also said that one of her daughters was rushing to see the boxer in the hospital.

A source told Radar on Friday that Ali's family had been 'prepared for the worst'.

Ali's spokesman, Bob Gunnell, said on Thursday that the boxer was being treated for a respiratory issue at a hospital, saying he was in a 'fair condition'.

He released another statement on Friday stating that there had been no change to Ali's condition'.

Ali married four times, most recently to his current wife Lonnie, and has nine children - seven daughters and two sons.

He will be remembered for his stunning victories against the likes of Sonny Lister, as well as George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle and Joe Frazier in the Thrilla in Manila. Ali also won gold at the 1960 Olympics.

His trash-talking and way with words - which produced unforgettable quotes such as 'flat like a butterfly, sting like a bee' - were also part of what made Ali the best boxer to ever take to the ring.

But it was boxing that would eventually be his downfall - with the sheer number of blows he took to the head thought to be linked to Parkinson's, which he was diagnosed with in 1984.

Laila Ali spoke about her father's health struggles in interview with People in March, saying: 'He's such a fighter, still, when at times he seems weak and not able to handle it.

'He comes through stronger than ever. He's still fighting regardless and I love my dad for that.'

A representative for Laila told Entertainment Tonight on Friday: 'Laila's number one priority is her father's well-being.

'She truly appreciates the outpouring of love for her family, as she spends quality time with her dad.'

Ali has been hospitalized several times in recent years, most recently in early 2015 when he was treated for a severe urinary tract infection initially diagnosed a month prior as pneumonia.

He has also been battling Parkinson's for decades now, and brought much awareness to the disease thanks to his high profile and willingness to share his very public struggle since being first diagnosed in the early 1980s.

His Parkinson's has long been linked to the number of times he took blows to the head during fights.

The boxer has looked increasingly frail during public appearances over the past few years, including one in April 9 where he wore sunglasses and was hunched over at the annual Celebrity Fight Night dinner in Phoenix, which raises funds for treatment of Parkinson's.

His last public appearance prior to that was in October of last year when he appeared at the Sports Illustrated Tribute to Muhammad Ali at The Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

He was joined by former opponents George Foreman and Larry Holmes at that event.

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, Ali took up boxing at age 12, when his bike was stolen and he wanted to find and whip the culprit.

The boy was introduced to Joe Martin, a police officer who coached boxing at a local gym.

Ali's brother, 68-year-old Rahaman Ali, recalled on Saturday night that the champ was cheerful and happy as a youngster.

'As a little boy he (said) he would be the world's greatest fighter and be a great man,' he said.

Ali flourished in the ring, becoming a top amateur and Olympic gold medalist.

He made his professional debut in Louisville and arranged for a local children's hospital to receive proceeds from the fight.

His decision alienated Ali from many across the U.S. and resulted in a draft-evasion conviction.

Ali found himself embroiled in a long legal fight that ended in 1971, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in his favor.

Ali lost his first bid to regain the heavyweight crown when Frazier knocked him down and took a decision in the 'Fight of the Century' at Madison Square Garden in 1971.

Ali regained the heavyweight title in 1974, defeating Foreman in the 'Rumble in the Jungle.'

A year later, he outlasted Frazier in the epic 'Thrilla in Manila' bout.

Ali's last title came in 1978, when he defeated Leon Spinks.

Ali retired from boxing in 1981 and devoted himself to social causes.

He traveled the world on humanitarian missions, mingling with the masses and rubbing elbows with world leaders.

Ali received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush in 2005.

Source: Daily Mail