Originally Posted by Mutt

I missed the Cassius Clay beginnings but when he came back to fight Joe Frazier I was old enough to take it all in - I don't think younger people can grasp how big Ali was, the heavyweight champion of boxing, any of them, were world famous, every continent on this earth. Ali with his charisma, looks, athletic skills, humor and his message of tolerance, peace and love became almost larger than life. I think only The Beatles had the same type of impact on the world in the 20th century.

I'm still finding it hard to accept he's dead, the Ali from my childhood and adolescence is how I think of him still. When he'd make public appearances, like at Joe Frazier's funeral, I couldn't look. Just too sad to see what Parkinsons and the punches had done to him. He was no coward like I am, he continued to travel and make public appearances mostly for charity, his humanity was greater than his vanity.