The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced its flags will fly at half-staff in memory of three-time heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali. He passed away yesterday in Arizona. He was 74.
1990 Hall of Fame Inductee Muhammad Ali
Born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17, 1942, he won light heavyweight gold at the 1960 Olympics and turned pro the same year.
As a pro, Ali was the first man to win the world heavyweight championship three times (1964-67, 1974-78, 1978-79). With charisma, confidence and tremendous boxing skills, he would register victories over Henry Cooper, George Chuvalo, Ernie Terrell, Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Jimmy Ellis, Ron Lyle and Earnie Shavers, as well as fellow Hall of Famers Archie Moore, Sonny Liston, Floyd Patterson, Bob Foster, Ken Norton, George Foreman and Joe Frazier. On March 8, 1971, he battled Frazier in “The Fight of the Century” at Madison Square Garden. Ali retired in 1981 with a record of 56-5 (37 KOs).
“Muhammad Ali is far and away the most famous athlete in the world,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “His impact reached well beyond the boxing ring and he became a world-wide symbol of compassion and perseverance.”
In 1990, Ali was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.