LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY — One of the brightest lights ever to shake up the sporting world has now stepped into a better ring. <br /> <br />Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay, died at the age of 74. He was a global celebrity, a sports hero, an activist, a poet and all-around mesmerizing individual. <br /> <br />Ali will be remembered for his lightning fast fists and feet as well as that jaw that never quite stopped jawing before and after fights. <br /> <br />His legendary fights against Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and George Foreman thrilled audiences across the globe. <br /> <br />During Ali’s meteoric rise, fall and rise again, his friend and sports journalist Howard Cosell was there, blow for blow. <br /> <br />The only three-time lineal heavyweight champion in boxing history, Ali’s 56 wins and five losses were only outshined by his record outside the ring. <br /> <br />Ali was a blaring voice against racial segregation, racism, war and Islamophobia at a time when all four were at a boiling point in the U.S. <br /> <br />Ali was a man of the people. He truly was the greatest. Like Obama said, Ali shook up the world. And the world is better for it.
