'Ali Shook Up the World': Reactions to the Death of the Greatest

Former opponents, celebrities, politicians remember Muhammad Ali
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 4, 2016 10:10 AM CDT
'Ali Shook Up the World': Reactions to the Death of the Greatest
Muhammad Ali punches a speed bag at the Folk Art Center in Manila, Philippines, as he prepares his title fight against Joe Frazier in 1975.   (AP Photo/Jess Tan, File)

Muhammad Ali died Friday at the age of 74, likely from complications related to Parkinson's disease. The death of the Greatest led to an outpouring of tributes and memorials from those who knew him and others who admired him from afar. Here are 13 of those reactions from athletes, celebrities, and politicians:

  • “It's been said it was Rope a dope, Ali beat me with no his beauty that beat me. Most beauty I've know loved him," George Foreman tweeted.
  • “Thinking of #MuhammadAli and remembering a man who was not afraid to take a stand and who was committed to being his authentic self," Billie Jean King tweeted.
  • "Ali shook up the world—and the world is better for it," the BBC quotes President Obama as saying in a statement.
  • “The greatest man I have ever known," Billy Crystal tweeted.
  • “The Greatest made the world a better place. His work is done. We are better for it," Carl Weathers tweeted.
  • "Ali exemplified courage—he never took the easy route, something to be admired in and outside of the ring," the Los Angeles Times quotes Oscar De La Hoya as saying.
  • “Boxing benefited from Muhammad Ali's talents, but not nearly as much as mankind benefited from his humanity," the Times quotes Manny Pacquiao as saying.
  • “His may be the Greatest of 20th century American stories," Neil deGrasse Tyson tweeted.
  • “We will NEVER forget your courage, standing up to those in power. You gave up your title & your career rather than kill Vietnamese," Michael Moore tweeted.
  • "From the day he claimed the Olympic gold medal in 1960, boxing fans across the world knew they were seeing a blend of beauty and grace, speed and strength that may never be matched again," ABC News quotes a statement from Bill and Hillary Clinton as saying.
  • “Muhammad Ali was the greatest, not only an extraordinary athlete but a man of great courage and humanity," ABC quotes Bernie Sanders as saying in a statement.
  • “Muhammad Ali is dead at 74! A truly great champion and a wonderful guy. He will be missed by all!” Donald Trump tweeted.
  • “God came for his champion. So long great one," Mike Tyson tweeted.
(Click here for the best quotes from Ali himself.)

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