Boxing legend Muhammad Ali dies

The legendary boxer, three-time world heavyweight champion, died today, June 4, at the age of 74, two days after being hospitalized for respiratory problems.

The news of Ali's death has just been confirmed by his family spokesman.

The American boxing legend was hospitalized on June 2 for respiratory problems. His health has since improved. Yesterday, he was even said to be back to normal. However, the bad news came unexpectedly today.

Ali is one of the few great boxers in boxing history. He retired in 1981, after losing to Trevor Berbick in his 61st fight. As early as the 1970s, Ali began to suffer from memory and neurological problems, a result of boxing. And not long after retiring, he was treated for Parkinson's syndrome, a neurological disease.

Parkinson's disease plagued him towards the end of his life, but when he was sober, he spoke enthusiastically about boxing - his life's passion.

During his lifetime, Ali once called himself "the greatest of the greats". He went through four marriages and had nine children, including his daughter Laila Ali - who also became a famous boxer in the professional women's boxing world.

Ali, real name Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky (USA), in a poor family, his father was a sign maker, his mother was a maid.

He got into boxing at the age of 12, when he went to the police station to report a bicycle robbery and was encouraged by a police officer, who was also a boxing coach, to practice this powerful sport.Ali then progressed rapidly and became an outstanding boxer and a great sportsman of world class.

Ali made his professional debut on October 29, 1960, and it took him another four years to become the world heavyweight boxing champion, at the age of 22, by defeating Sonny Liston. During his professional career, Ali fought 61 times, winning 56, including 37 by knockout, and losing five.

Ali made a strong impression during his prime with his powerful punches and stormy style of attack.

One of the few defeats throughout Ali's career was his loss to fellow countryman Joe Frazier in 1971. Before the boxing world knew about the recent "fight of the century" between Mayweather and Pacquiao, the Ali - Frazier match was the first confrontation to be given that beautiful title.

In addition to his glorious boxing career, Ali was also a prestigious social activist and a great philanthropist. He participated in protesting the Vietnam War, the United Nations program "Message of Peace", and strongly supported efforts to eradicate hunger and reduce poverty globally.

According to VNE