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The Greatest: Muhammad Ali Dies At Age 74 [VIDEO]

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Christian Datoc Senior White House Correspondent
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Boxing legend — and the only three-time lineal world champion — Muhammad Ali passed away at the age of 74 in Phoenix, AZ Friday.

Ali had been hospitalized Thursday afternoon to deal with a reported respiratory problem, yet doctors told the Mirror UK that his condition quickly began to deteriorate.

“The Greatest” was surrounded by family members in his final hours. Those present included daughters Laila, Hana and Maryum.

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Born Cassius Clay in Louisville, KY, Ali first rose to fame after defeating Sonny Liston to claim the world heavyweight title in 1964, at only 22 years of age.

Shortly afterwords, he joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name.

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In 1967, Ali was charged with draft evasion and stripped of his belt. He did not fight for four years until his case was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1971.

He regained his belt by knocking out George Foreman in 1974’s “Rumble In the Jungle.”

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Though not a title bout, “The Thrilla in Manila” — his third against heated rival Joe Frazier — took place in the Philippines in 1975.

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Ali won his third title in 1978 by defeating Leon Spinks by unanimous decision only months after handing Spinks the belt.

Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1984, shortly after retiring from boxing.

He remained a global icon for the rest of his life.

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