When I heard he was 74, I was surprised he made it that long. He's had health issues for a long time.
I remember watching Ali (then Cassius Clay) on TV at the '60 Olympics. He outclassed the competition like few others have. RIP
"The fight is won or lost far away from the witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights." RIP champion.
This is tough for me. He's was always our hometown guy and never forgot his city. Before he was the Greatest, he was the Louisville Lip and he supported countless charities here. About 5 years ago I walked into the Outback just up the street from me and bam, there sat Ali in the waiting area...about 5 feet from me. Now I've met a few of my hero's over the years; Mario, Nicky, Valentino, and never felt at a loss for words. But when I saw Ali I froze. I had no clue what to say so I just stood there in awe. As a Louisvillian, he'll always be our champ. Travel well sir.
I was going to say Tyson, pre-Robin Givens. Not even because of his skills, but because of the fear he instilled in his opponents which was almost punch in itself. Then I remembered that Ali beat young Foreman…