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Reaction to the death of 'The Greatest' Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, has died, according to a statement released by his family. He was 74.

Rev. Jesse Jackson describes Ali as 'defiant man of dignity who found his dignity non-negotiable'

The Associated Press ·

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali passes away at 74

8 years ago
Duration 2:01
Ali was admitted to hospital on Thursday with respiratory problems.

Heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali has died in a Phoenix-area hospital at age 74 after a battle with respiratory problems. Here is some of the reaction to news of his death:

  • "He's the most transforming figure of my time, certainly. He did more to change race relations and the views of people than even Martin Luther King. It was a privilege and an honour for me to know him and associate with him." — Bob Arum, who promoted 26 of Ali's fights.
  • Ali, Frazier & Foreman we were one guy. A part of me slipped away, "The greatest piece" — tweet by George Foreman, Ali's opponent in the "Rumble in the Jungle"
  • "Muhammad Ali shook up the world. And the world is better for it. We are all better for it. Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family, and we pray that the greatest fighter of them all finally rests in peace." — U.S. President Barack Obama.


     
  • "He's just a true icon, in and out of the ring. ... My thing that I loved about Muhammad Ali was watching him fight and I had to see that Ali shuffle. The Ali shuffle, if it didn't happen, he would come out with some other antic. … His life should be revered. He's a great man and he had a great life, and he's in a better place now." — Canadian boxer and the last undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.
    • "Muhammad Ali is a legend and one of the world's most celebrated athletes, the fighter who ushered in the golden era of boxing and put the sport on the map. He paved the way for professional fighters, including myself, elevating boxing to become a sport watched in millions of households around the world" — Boxer Oscar De La Hoya, who won titles at six different weight classes.
    • "We lost a giant today. Boxing benefited from Muhammad Ali's talents but not nearly as much as mankind benefited from his humanity. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Ali family. May God bless them." — Boxer Manny Pacquiao, a champion in eight weight classes.
    • "To the African-American community, he was a black man who faced overwhelming bigotry the way he faced every opponent in the ring: fearlessly." —  Retired professional basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 

  • "Passing the Olympic torch to Muhammad to light the cauldron at the Atlanta Games in 1996 was the defining moment of my career, and a memory I will treasure forever, as much as any of the medals I won. As Olympians, our role is to inspire others to achieve their dreams, and no person has ever lived that role more than Muhammad Ali." — swimmer Janet Evans.

    • "Ali was a defiant man of dignity who found his dignity non-negotiable. When he decided to change his name and affirm his religion and not to go to war in Vietnam, they took away his boxing licence. They took away his title. But they could not take away the crown. He was willing to sacrifice the crown and money and stature for his principles." — civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson
    • "Without question his legacy is one that he defied the odds because he stood up for what he believed in and when he was put to the test he took personal harm rather than go against his beliefs and what he stood for." — Don King, promoter of "Rumble in the Jungle" and "Thrilla in Manilla."
    • "We are proud to call Ali not only a member of Team USA, but an Olympic champion. With unparalleled grit and determination, he left a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of Americans for years to come." — Scott Blackmun, CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

    • "Hillary and I are saddened by the passing of Muhammad Ali. From the day he claimed the Olympic gold medal in 1960, boxing fans across the world knew they were seeing a blend of beauty and grace, speed and strength that may never be matched again. We watched him grow from the brash self-confidence of youth and success into a manhood full of religious and political convictions that led him to make tough choices and live with the consequences. Along the way we saw him courageous in the ring, inspiring to the young, compassionate to those in need, and strong and good-humoured in bearing the burden of his own health challenges. I was honoured to award him the Presidential Citizens Medal at the White House, to watch him light the Olympic flame, and to forge a friendship with a man who, through triumph and trials, became even greater than his legend. Our hearts go out to Lonnie, his children, and his entire family." — Former U.S. president Bill Clinton.
    The boxing legend poses during the Crystal Award ceremony at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 28, 2006. (Andreas Meier/Reuters )

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