Muhammad Ali, who declared “I am the greatest” and proved it many times
over, infuriating some and captivating countless more as he floated like
a butterfly and stung like a bee on his way to winning the world
heavyweight championship a record three times, becoming perhaps the most
widely recognized person on the planet, died Friday in Phoenix. He was
74. Mr. Ali had long suffered from Parkinson’s syndrome. The condition
was understood to be a consequence of his boxing career.--
By Lloyd Young
Muhammad Ali jokes with television sports commentator Howard Cosell
before the start of the Olympic boxing trials, in West Point, NY., on
Aug. 7, 1972. (Associated Press)