World renowned boxing legend Muhammad Ali, today passed away in Arizona Hospital, Phoenix. The legend was suffering from a respiratory ailment and fought for his life like a fighter. While the world mourn his death, it is quite noteworthy that Muhammad Ali is the only celebrity whose ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’ star is placed vertically on wall instead of floor, as he asked the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to respect the name which is also the name of Prophet Muhammad. The legendary boxer known as Cassius Clay, joined the nation of Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali in 1975.
In 2002 for his achievements and his contribution to the entertainment industry, Ali was offered with a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’ at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard.
The champion initially rejected the offer stating, “I bear the name of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, and it is impossible that I allow people to trample over his name,” CBC sports reported. His response granted him the option of putting his star on the wall, making him the only star not on the ground.
Ali, who is arguably the most famous athlete on earth, won millions of fans was also known as ‘The Greatest’. The man who would “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” won the 1996 Olympic gold medal and remains the only fighter to win the heavyweight belt on three different occasions.
He retired from boxing in 1981 and was involved in 61 bouts. In his last fight, the three-time heavyweight champ lost to Trevor Berbick. Ali, after taking retirement from boxing was treated for Parkinson’s disease, which was a result of neurological damage due to boxing. Ali suffered from Parkinson’s for three decades. Despite suffering through the disease, he kept up a busy appearance schedule until recently.
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