World Boxing legend Muhammad Ali dies aged 74, Bangladesh condoles

Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali passed away at a Phoenix-area hospital June 3. He was 74. He was hospitalised Thursday for a respiratory illness connected to his Parkinson’s disease. Sources told the AP Friday that his illness was worse than previous cases that had sent him to the hospital.
Ali, nicknamed The Greatest, was just that. He was the heavyweight champion in 1964 after a historical upset over Sonny Linston.
After Ali’s suspension for refusing military service in the Vietnam War, Ali won the title two more times in 1974 and 1978.
He is the only three-time lineal world heavyweight champion. His boxing record was 56-5 with 37 knockouts.
His style in the ring was self-defined in the expression “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”
Ali’s original name was Cassius Clay, but he changed it when converting to the Nation of Islam. He was born in Louisville, Ky.
He originally got into boxing after his bike was stolen at the age of 12. When he told a police officer that he wanted to beat up the culprit, the officer reportedly told him he needed to learn how to fight first.
The world can’t thank that police officer enough.
Ali began competing in 1954, and just six years later went to the summer Olympic games in Rome, Italy. He won the gold medal, and it was then he became an American icon.
During the Vietnam War, Ali was drafted into the military, but he refused citing his religious beliefs and disapproval of the US’ involvement in the war.
He was arrested and found guilty on draft evasion charges. His case went all the way to the US Supreme Court where his charges were overturned.
Some of his most remembered fights were following his suspension.
He fought and eventually fell to Joe Frazier after 14 rounds what were remembered as ‘The Fight of the Century.’
Ali retired from boxing in 1981 and, after his career, he became a philanthropist.
Ali is survived by his fourth wife Yolanda, who he married in 1986, and his nine children, according to media reports. SRS/ZR.  The Financial Express

Bangladesh condoles sad demise of world boxing legend Muhammad Ali

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sent a condolence message to US President Barack Obama at the sad demise of global boxing legend Muhammad Ali who was an honorary citizen of Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Hasina described Ali as one of the greatest sports icon of all time and said he has long been a household name in Bangladesh and is regarded with great respect and passion by its people for his extraordinary talent and skills in boxing, and “also for his bold voice to uphold the dignity of all human beings and challenge all wrongs.”

“The greatest boxer in the history was a bridge between our two friendly countries and would remain so for generations to come. The people of Bangladesh would always remember their brother, Muhammad Ali, with love and reverence,” the Prime Minister said in her condolence message issued from Dhaka on June 4.
Sheikh Hasina conveyed her deepest condolence to the US President and through him to the members of the bereaved family and to the people of the United States. She prayed for the salvation of Ali’s departed soul. Press Release.