Muhammad Ali Turns 70

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali turns 70 years old on January 17th, 2012.  The milestone was celebrated with a party for 350 in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky on January 14th.  It’s the first of five such events; another party in Las Vegas on February 18th will raise money for brain research.  Ali has suffered from Parkinson’s Disease for three decades.

Ali still evokes strong feelings from those who resented his refusal (as a conscientious objector)  to be drafted into the army during the Vietnam War.  To others, he was arrogant in declaring himself to be “The Greatest”.  But Ali not only talked the talk, he walked the walk as well. He won  the gold medal in the Light Heavyweight division at the 1960 Olympics, and followed that with a spectacular professional career as a heavy weight champion.  He beat all the top heavyweights of his era, and finished with a record of 56-5.  Three of those losses came in his last four fights, when he was past his prime.

Since his retirement, Ali has been involved in philanthropic and humanitarian activities.   He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom form President George W. Bush in 2005.  Ali remains one of the most well known athletes in the world 30 years after his career ended.