Muhammad Ali, one of the most popular athletes in the world, turned 70 on Tuesday, and despite his best moments being 40 years in the past, the legendary boxer continues to generate love and controversy throughout the world.
During the day, various sports stars sent their congratulations, claiming the legendary boxer to be their motivation and, without a doubt, the best of his time.
Ali has left that illustrious past. One of the biggest personalities the sports world has ever seen, Ali has now lost his ability to speak and has been stricken with Parkinson's. Even the simplest of movements has become difficult.
He was not only a champion in the ring, but an incomparable personality outside of it. He was a villain, a rebel, revolutionary and an idol to an entire generation.
The American boxer lives on in the world of sports, entertainment and politics. His life was much more than his record: 53-5 (with much of his losses at the tail end of his career).
Everyone has an opinion of Ali. Many of them have never seen a round of boxing in their lives, much less a fight from the legendary boxer.
That is the power of Ali, whatever the reason may be. It may be his cockiness — once he said that those dreaming of beating him should apologize when they wake up.
It may have been his way of making him a part of the conversation in the political world: refusing to fight in Vietnam, going to jail and losing his championship belts.
The merits of Ali are of course apparent in the ring, where he approached his fights as he did his entire life — without fear or caution.
He hit hard and disregarded defense, he went for victory and was more than willing to pay the consequence. Who knows if he would be willing to do the same today had he known the consequences then? But, Ali never was one ot think of the future or the consequences of his actions.
He lived in the moment and thought nothing of what would come afterwards. That is why there is so much love and respect for a personality that in today's 24/7 news cycle could not survive.
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