The GREATEST of All-Time has Left the Building.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

50+ years ago a man stunned everyone with the words we'd never imagine a challenger to say , "Sonny Liston is much too ugly to be champion." Ali made more words towards him that stunned a public that never imagined a young brash man would say this stuff. Yes folks , Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay then) introduced the world to "trash talking". It was so weird then to hear a man rip into his challengers. Then go out and perform in a dominant fashion in boxing. Clay defeated Liston and the nation watched spellbound.




Ali was magic , he had "IT" basically whenever he'd come onscreen. You watched to see what he'd say , what witty thing he'd say like float like a butterfly , sting like a bee. Women fell for his charms repeatedly. He was married 4 times and had 9 children (2 outside his marriages). Children loved him because as fierce and as much a trash talker as he was , Ali loved played with children. Watch training footage of him around kids , he'd be playing with them and doing magic tricks. Because that was his way.

But he wasn't without controversy. Ali was a magnet for it. The ones who shine brightest always have controversy folks. Ali was no different as he took Islam as his faith and would not enter the war in Vietnam. This angered many folks who felt that someone like Ali should serve as an example for the troops. This anger has lasted many years with soldiers who served there and leaders. As a result , Ali lost 4 years of his professional career in his prime.

Ali however had supporters and many of them would stand in his corner and support him. One was Howard Cosell. The 2 men were so tied into each other that when you say Ali , you imagine Howard Cosell with a mic in front of him. (Which I'm sure when Ali went to his great reward , Cosell was there asking how he liked it there as soon as he arrived).





Ali battled back , became champion twice in the 1970's. He was older , slower. But he still had the gift of words and more. The man was made to sit and keep you spell bound as he'd just come off the cuff with whatever was on his mind.




Sure he stuck around 2-3 fights too long and he should have quit. One story involved Larry Holmes and the 2nd to last fight of Ali's career. In the 30 for 30 ESPN special , Larry Holmes was young and getting ready to break into boxing. Ali was training for Joe Frazier a few years earlier and needed a sparring partner and Holmes jumped at it. Its there Holmes had received a black eye in sparring with Ali and the trainer was gonna get him an ice pack. Holmes refused it saying that he wanted to show everyone at home , he received a black eye from the GREATEST OF ALL TIME.

For Larry it was a badge of honor and he loved Ali. Its what made the fight so terrible to him. Because he hurt his idol in a sense. In that fight post match Holmes broke down in tears over what had happened. As he told years later his love for Ali as a man , that had pretty much helped his career was what made him feel that way.

Ali was the GREATEST . We won't see that again and hopefully he's up there with others and talking his trademark game as usual. "I WANT YOU ....I WANT YOU JOE LOUIS !" With Howard Cosell in the middle as the announcer hopefully.

[Batman Begins 2005]

The Greatest. R.I.P. Thinking of Ali's friends and family.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

The world will NEVER see another incandescent athlete like Mr. Ali. He certainly was one of a kind and will be missed.

[Kirby101]

Even the Greatest when it comes to all time classic comics.



He was larger than life.