He was fast of fist and foot -- lip, too -- a heavyweight champion who promised to shock the world and did. He floated. He stung. Mostly he thrilled, even after the punches had taken their toll and his voice barely rose above a whisper. He was The Greatest.
Muhammad Ali died Friday at age 74, according to a statement from the family. He was hospitalized in the Phoenix area with respiratory problems earlier this week, and his children gathered around him.
Read: Did you know 7 films were made on the boxing legend Muhammad Ali?
With a wit as sharp as the punches he used to "whup" opponents, Ali dominated sports for two decades before time and Parkinson's Syndrome, triggered by thousands of blows to the head, ravaged his magnificent body, muted his majestic voice and ended his storied career in 1981. He won and defended the heavyweight championship in epic fights in exotic locations, spoke loudly on behalf of blacks, and famously refused to be drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War because of his Muslim beliefs.
Despite his debilitating illness, he traveled the world to rapturous receptions even after his once-bellowing voice was quieted and he was left to communicate with a wink or a weak smile.
Bollywood celebrities too took to Twitter to mourn the loss of the legend.
T 2277 - 'The Greatest' .. with him at his home in LA ! May he Rest in Peace ! pic.twitter.com/gX0gR7rPTb
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) June 4, 2016
Muhammad Ali get well soon. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can’t hit what the eyes can’t see.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 4, 2016
Crushed! @MuhammadAli was the 1st sportsman I was told about by @SrBachchan. He was inspirational and an idol.
— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) June 4, 2016
Rip ali. You taught us to fight in the face of adversity. #legend
— Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) June 4, 2016
RIP Muhammad Ali pic.twitter.com/aBYAzdeBNL
— Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) June 4, 2016
"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." #RIPMuhammadAli #TheGreatest doesn't pass on,he lives on ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘👊👊👊 pic.twitter.com/Y2eXE1kDv9
— Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) June 4, 2016
RIP. Muhammad Ali.Was at a function with him in Bahrain think early 80's. He was unwell and he called me"pretty boy" pic.twitter.com/8pl65BgUF5
— Rains!Where are you? (@chintskap) June 4, 2016
One of the most inspiring man with most inspiring life Muhammad ali passes away May Allah rest his soul in peace. You'll be greatest forever
— ali abbas zafar (@aliabbaszafar) June 4, 2016
Woke up to the worst news!! Strength to the Greatest!! #MuhammadAli #GreatestOfAllTime pic.twitter.com/I4xXIGUKAM
— Rana Daggubati (@RanaDaggubati) June 4, 2016
RIP. #MohammedAli pic.twitter.com/eEsTBk9qhO
— Athiya Shetty (@theathiyashetty) June 4, 2016
R.I.P. Muhammad Ali...the greatest boxer of all times... pic.twitter.com/jDxvou7A6M
— Sajid Khan (@SimplySajidK) June 4, 2016
He did float like a butterfly and stung like a bee Mohammad Ali was an inspiration to all of us RIP
— Arjun Kapoor (@arjunk26) June 4, 2016
. @MuhammadAli
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) June 4, 2016
Never before-Never again.
RIP Champ.
#MuhammadAli #rip the greatest boxer n sportsman. Celebrate his life n achievements #inspiration
— kunal kohli (@kunalkohli) June 4, 2016
"Float like a butterfly , sting like a bee" sad sad sad day #MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/H9MThafWNe
— John Abraham (@TheJohnAbraham) June 4, 2016
RIP #muhammadali the world jus lost one of its greatest ... #cassiusmarcellusclay
— Neha Dhupia (@NehaDhupia) June 4, 2016
The greatest that ever was. Eloquent, colorful, controversial and simply brilliant. THE #MohammedAli. RIP Cassius Clay
— Jackky Bhagnani (@jackkybhagnani) June 4, 2016
RIP champ #TheGreatestOfAllTime pic.twitter.com/yMktvviNxM
— Saqib 'Viraj' Saleem (@Saqibsaleem) June 4, 2016
"I am going to show you how great I am" ..... And we were witness to it. A great life lived… https://t.co/XIAVu9PhqD
— Masaba Mantena (@MasabaG) June 4, 2016
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. RIP @MuhammadAli #legend 👊ðŸ¼ðŸ'ªðŸ½ðŸ™ðŸ½
— Ashmit Patel (@AshmitPatel) June 4, 2016
