Muhammad Ali (1942-2016): Anti-War Legend and Boxing Great Dies at 74
(COMMON DREAMS) Jon Queally, June 4, 2016— Boxing great Muhammad Ali, known around the world as a humanitarian who spoke out forcefully against racial inequality, social injustice, and the Vietnam War during the 1960’s, has died at the age of 74.
The news of the athlete’s passing was confirmed by several news outlets late Friday night as well as a brief statement released on behalf of the family.
“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,” said family spokesperson Bob Gunnell in the statement.
In addition to those using #MuhammadAli hashtag on Twitter, the Guardian newspaper was also capturing and cataloging reactions to the news from around the world.
According to reports, Ali had been receiving treatment related to respiratory problems at a hospital in Arizona.
Though regarded as one of the great boxers and individual athletes of all time and widely cherished for his tenacious wit and swagger, Ali—who was born Cassius Clay on January 17, 1942 before converting to Islam and changing his name later in life—was equally heralded for his humanitarian work and taking bold political stances, even when they put his career in jeopardy.
Drafted for by the U.S. government into the Vietnam War in 1967, Ali refused to go.
“My conscience won’t let me go shoot my brother, or some darker people, or some poor hungry people in the mud for big powerful America,” he famously said. “And shoot them for what? They never called me nigger, they never lynched me, they didn’t put no dogs on me, they didn’t rob me of my nationality, rape and kill my mother and father. … Shoot them for what? How can I shoot them poor people? Just take me to jail.”