Profile: Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali was the undisputed heavyweight boxing legend of the 60s-70s before he was struck down by Parkinson disease in 1982. He is revered in the boxing industry as one of the greatest ever heavyweight champions and one thing that carried him through the tough moments was his determination to become a legend. He has since retired from boxing when he was diagnosed with the disease but endorsements deals had kept on knocking at his door, like the recent Adidas ads featuring him along with a host of other Adidas-sponsored soccer and tennis stars.

His legacy in the boxing ring has been carried on by her daughter, Laila Ali, who is a professional female boxer. Even though she's a good fighter in her own right, it would be hard to see her surpassing the illustrious career of her father anytime soon.

Famous quotes:

I hated every minute of training, but I said, ''Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.''
Muhammad Ali

Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.
Muhammad Ali

Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them-a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.
Muhammad Ali

Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up.
Muhammad Ali

I'll be floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee.
Muhammad Ali

I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark.
Muhammad Ali

It's hard to be humble, when you're as great as I am.
Muhammad Ali

It's not bragging if you can back it up.
Muhammad Ali

Wars of nations are fought to change maps. But wars of poverty are fought to map change.
Muhammad Ali

What keeps me going is goals.
Muhammad Ali

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