Many of Us Lost a Piece of Our Growing Up Days, Muhammad Ali Dies at 74

I remember being in my bedroom like it was yesterday.  It was February 25, 1964.  I was listening to what might have been a transistor radio.  It started around 10pm.  A youngster named Cassius Clay was fighting the very tough champion, Sonny Liston in Miami Beach.  Clay was a huge underdog.  It was a special night.  Cassius Clay became the champ on a TKO in the seventh round and so the story began.  He defended his championship a year later in a small town in Lewiston, Maine.  Again, I listened to the fight on the radio.   Clay won again, this time on a knockout in the first round.

There have been many stories written about the very controversial and dynamic sports figure.  Books, movies, interviews and more tell his story.  I remember when he changed his name to Muhammad Ali, when he refused to be drafted and I watched or listened to many of his 61 fights of which he won 56.

I am going to sit back today and reflect on his great career and many of the things that Ali did throughout his life, some of which were very controversial.

I know that Ali is looking down at us with a big smile saying “I Float Like A Butterfly and Sting Like a Bee.”

Yes, you were the greatest of all time.

bottom photo from facebook, top photo from AP