Muhammad Ali passed away four years ago today in Arizona at the age of 74, and we wanted to mark his anniversary with a collection of photos from his life.
The man born Cassius Clay achieved all there was to achieve in boxing, winning the world heavyweight title against Sonny Liston, before losing it and then claiming it back in the 'Rumble in the Jungle' against George Foreman.
Ali's former business manager Gene Kilroy, the last surviving member of his inner circle, did an extensive interview recently with Shane Hannon. They discussed Kilroy's life with his close friend, from the fights that sealed his legacy to the political and religious stances that cemented his place in history away from the ring.
You can watch the full exclusive interview below on YouTube:
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FURTHER ALI READING:
Gene Kilroy on Irish heritage HERE
Gene Kilroy on the Rumble in the Jungle HERE
Gene Kilroy on Ali visiting a terminally ill child HERE
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THE KID
Mar 29, 1959; Louisville, KY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Policeman and mentor Joe Martin congratulates Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali as he admires his golden gloves ring. Mandatory Credit: Chas. Kays/The Courier-Journal-USA TODAY Sports *** Please Use Credit from Credit Field ***===
THE KISS
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali gets a kiss from his wife Lonnie as he presents his book GOAT (The Greatest Of All Times) at the Frankfurt Book Fair, Thursday 09 October 2003 The book costs 7500 Euro and weighs more than 30 Kg and is published by German Taschen |===
THE JOKER
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THE GREATEST
Cassius Clay at the weigh-in for his fight with British heavyweight Henry Cooper at the London Palladium. The fight takes place at Wembley.===
THE TALKER
Mar 29, 1967; Louisville, KY, USA: FILE PHOTO; Muhammad Ali speaks to a group of open-housing supporters at Antioch Baptist Church in Louisville. Mandatory Credit: Charles Fentress Jr./The Courier-Journal-USA TODAY Sports===
THE YOUNGSTER
Oct 10, 1960; Louisville, KY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Cassius Clay a/k/a Muhammad Ali (right) trains for his first professional flight in front of local admirers in Louisville. Mandatory Credit: Warren Klosterman/The Courier-Journal-USA TODAY Sports ===
THE SMACKTALKER
Muhammad Ali jokes about the appearance of Dunn in Munich, on 14 May 1976. | usage worldwide===
THE IRISHMAN
18 September 2008; Padraig Harrington, Team Europe 2008, with former World Champion Muhammad Ali on the first fairway during the final day of practice. 37th Ryder Cup, Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE===
THE RIVALS
Sep 13, 1978; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Muhammad Ali (left) shares a laugh with Joe Frazier (right) in his training room during his training for his bout with Leon Spinks (not pictured) at the Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Keith Williams/The Courier-Journal-USA TODAY Sports ===
THE SPORTSMAN
An illustrious welcoming party, including New York Cosmos' Franz Beckenbauer (l) and Carlos Alberto (second l), Bobby Moore (second r) and Muhammad Ali (r), wait to greet Pele before the final match of his career===
THE NEW CHAMP
FILE - A file picture dated 25 May 1965 shows triumphant US boxer Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) (C) being stopped by referee Walcott as he looks at his opponent Charles 'Sonny' Liston who is lying on the ground during their bout in Lewiston, Maine, USA. Born Cassius Clay, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, dubbed 'The Greatest,' died on 03 June 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, at the age of 74, a family spokesman said. Photo: dpa===
THE IRISH FIGHT
19 July 1972; Muhammad Ali in action against Al Blue Lewis at Croke Park. Picture Credit: Connolly Collection / SPORTSFILE===
THE RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
Ali's business manager Gene Kilroy (background right) watches on As Ali downs George Foreman to win the Rumble in the Jungle in what was formerly Zaire. (October 1974)===
THE PREDICTION
Cassius Clay predicts he will beat World Champion Sonny Liston in eight rounds as he waits for his flight back to the USA after his fifth round victory over Henry CooperDownload the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
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