Muhammad Ali Death Anniversary: Remembering The Boxing Legend Amid Unrest Across America

Muhammad Ali breathed his last on June 3, 2016. The three-time world heavyweight boxing champion was one of the most iconic sports personalities of the 20^th century.

With the ongoing George Floyd protests turning violent, what would have the legendary boxer wanted? In an interview with TMZ Sports, Khalilah, Ali’s former wife, said that the boxer would stand by the protest but he wouldn’t support the looting and vandalism.

She mentioned that he “would flip his switch” and would go off on looters and people burning businesses.

“I know that Ali would retaliate. He would really go off on people and I would love to see him romp and rave over these people hurting people, and burning up our businesses, and hurting people in the streets and burning up police cars,” she said.

Ali was 74 when he passed away in Phoenix. He was admitted to a local hospital due to a respiratory problem.

Bob Gunnell, Ali’s family spokesman, said that the boxer passed away after battling Parkinson’s disease for 32 years.

Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay in Louisville, Kentucky on Jan. 17, 1942. He picked up boxing when he was 12. Later, he won a gold medal as a lightweight in the 1960 Olympics in Rome.

As a professional boxer, Ali won the world heavyweight championship thrice in 14 years. He was known for his speed, footwork, and agility in the ring. His reflexes and quickness allowed him to move like a lightweight despite being a heavyweight boxer.

Muhammad Ali Inspirational Quotes

• “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”
• “Impossible is temporary, Impossible is nothing.”
• “Don’t count the days. Make the days count.”
• “If my mind can conceive it, if my heart can believe it – then I can achieve it.”
• “It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe.”
• “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”
• “A man who has no imagination has no wings.”
• “Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.