"The Greatest" has turned 74. Muhammad Ali contested in 61 professional bouts and some of his most memorable moments are below.
From The Rumble in the Jungle to The Thrilla in Manila and Sonny Liston, Ali had some crazy moments throughout his career. He’s not just known for his physical jabs, but his verbal ones as well. His most famous: "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, his hands can't hit what his eyes can't see". He used variations of the first half of this quote to describe his fighting style. The second half was used in mockery of George Foreman before their 1974 fight.
Ali’s other famous quote and monumental moment of his career: "Just take me to jail. He refused to serve in the Vietnam War when he was called. He was found guilty of draft evasion and stripped of his world heavyweight title. He would not fight for nearly four years.
Ali Vs. Liston
Ali stands over Sonny Liston and yells at him after knocking the former champ down in the first round of their 1965 rematch. Ali stood over Liston and told him to "Get up and fight, sucker.”
Like Father, Like Daughter
Ali takes a punch from his daughter Laila while sparring before her fight against Erin Toughill in 2005. Laila retired from her own successful boxing career with a professional record of 24-0.
Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.
Now known as Muhammad Ali, the young king stared down the camera during a photo shoot in April 1965, one month before his rematch against Sonny Liston.
The Decision
Outside the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station in Houston in April 1967, Ali spoke to the press about his refusal to be inducted into military service.
The Ali Family
To the right of Muhammad Ali are his twin daughters, Jamilllah and Rasheda, daughter Maryum and his wife, Khalilah, holding their son Ibn Muhammad Ali Jr.
Ali Vs. Foreman
The victory made Ali, once again, the heavyweight champion of the world.
Ali, Don King and Joe Frazier
The guys sat for a portrait leading up to the Thrilla in Manila. Ali verbally abused Frazier during the buildup to the fight, telling the media that "it will be a killa and a thrilla and a chilla when I get the gorilla in Manila.” King became a key figure in Ali's career, promoting his biggest fights, the Thrilla in Manila and the Rumble in the Jungle.
Ali Vs. Trevor Berbick
Ali lost to Berbick in a unanimous decision and retired after the bout, the 61st of his career.
50 And Still The Greatest
Diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome seven years earlier, Ali was still active. He traveled to Iraq during the Gulf War to meet with Saddam Hussein in an attempt to negotiate the release of American hostages.
1996 Atlanta Olympics
Ali carries the Olympic torch inside Centennial Olympic Stadium.
shaq.world.com