June 3, 2016
Peter Solari Follow @4PeteSakeNY
Muhammed Ali, who was hospitalized with respiratory problems in Phoenix on Thursday, has been placed on life support, according to reports. Loved ones have become growingly concerned with his worsening conditioning and are now rushing to be by his side.
Sources familiar with the situation told Radar Online, “Doctors are telling the family that it likely won’t be long until he passes away,” adding, “He needs every bit of fight he’s got left to survive.”
Another source told The Daily Mirror, “His children are all extremely concerned and dropped everything to be with him. They fear the worst."
Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in the early 1980's, attributed to the many blows he took the head in his career, and his condition is complicating his current respiratory issue.
Prior to that, the loud and boisterous Ali was one of the, if not the, greatest boxer to ever step in the ring, and one of the most polarizing figures in sports history.
The former Cassius Clay made a name for himself by winning a gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy and started his professional career later that year. Clay, who was known to belittle and taunt his opponents, first won the Heavyweight title in 1964, at age 22, with a stunning upset of Sonny Liston.
After converting to Islam and changing his name, Ali was stripped of his title and convicted of draft evasion for refusing to serve in Vietnam, in 1967. His boxing license was suspended in every state and he was made to surrender his passport, rendering him unable to fight between 1967 and 1970, while he appealed his conviction. It was ultimately overturned by the Supreme Court, and Ali would go on to regain his heavyweight title with a win over George Foreman in 1974.
Over a career that spanned 61 fights, Ali was 56-5 with an incredible 37 wins by knockout. He remains, to this day, one of the most revered athletes and figures in American history. Our thoughts and prayers are with he and his family.
