Today marks 10 years since the passing of boxing legend Muhammad Ali
Today, 10 years ago, American boxing legend Muhammad Ali died at 74 after battling Parkinson’s disease for over three decades.
Born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky in 1942, Ali began boxing at the age of 12 and won three world heavyweight titles before retiring in 1979 as the most well-known American Muslim.
He transcended professional boxing to become one of the most influential figures of the 20th century — known for his refusal to be drafted during the Vietnam War, his advocacy for Islam, racial justice and charity work.
Here are some pictures of Ali’s most iconic moments:
Muhammad Ali stands above Sonny Liston after delivering a first round knockout during the 1965 Heavyweight Title match at St. Dominic’s Arena in Lewiston, Maine on May 25, 1965. This is regarded as the most well-known photograph ever taken of Ali.
Cassius Clay (right) about to punch Sonny Liston (left) at the 1964 Heavyweight Title match in Miami Beach, Florida on February 25, 1964. Clay defeated Liston and took his heavyweight title. Shortly after, Clay announced his conversion to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali.
Cassius Clay (left) looks over his shoulder towards civil rights activist Malcolm X (right) at the Miami-Dade County diner hours after defeating Sonny Liston in Miami, Florida on February 25, 1964. X, a Muslim since the 1940s, helped Clay embrace Islam a few days later.
Muhammad Ali speaks to the press before his fight against Ernie Terrell at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas on February 6, 1967.
Muhammad Ali praying in the corner of the boxing ring before his fight against Zora Folley at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 22, 1967. Ali would be stripped of his first heavyweight title in April over refusing to be drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Muhammad Ali (center) speaks to the press at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas after being convicted of violating the Selective Service Act for refusing to be drafted into the U.S. military on June 20, 1967. Ali was sentenced to five years in prison, fined $10,000 and was banned from professional boxing for three years.
Muhammad Ali looking at the sacred “Black Stone” inside the Kaaba while performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on February 28, 1972.
Muhammad Ali (left) looks down at George Foreman (middle) after knocking him out in the eighth round of the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” Heavyweight Title match in Kinsasha, Zaire on October 30, 1974. Despite being the underdog and older than Foreman, Ali won his second heavyweight title.
Muhammad Ali (right) fights Leon Spinks (left) for the second time in the “Battle for New Orleans” at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 15, 1978. Ali, who previously lost his title to Spinks in February, defeated him to secure his third heavyweight title. One year later, Ali retired from professional boxing.