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Volume XLV
Number 23
www.portlandobserver.com
Wednesday • June 8, 2016
Established in 1970
Committed to Cultural Diversity
Muhammad Ali, who riveted the world as ‘The Greatest’ boxer of all time, is pictured through the years from a 21-year-old world championship heavyweight contender to
his status in retirement as a world ambassador.
Muhammad Ali
World to Gather for Final Farewell
(AP) -- A traditional Muslim funeral
for “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali will
be held in his hometown of Louisville,
Kentucky, on Thursday with an interfaith
service to follow on Friday drawing polit-
ical and religious leaders from around the
world, according to memorial plans re-
leased by Ali’s family on Monday.
Ali died Friday at age 74. Former Presi-
dent Bill Clinton, Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan and King Abdullah II of
Jordan are expected to speak at the Friday
service. Representatives from a number
of religions, including Islam, Christianity,
Catholicism, Judaism, Mormonism and
Buddhism will also be present.
With a wit as sharp as the punches, Ali
dominated sports for two decades before
time and Parkinson’s disease, triggered by
thousands of blows to the head, ravaged his
magniicent body, muted his majestic voice
and ended his storied career in 1981.
He won and defended the heavyweight
championship in epic ights in exotic lo-
cations, spoke loudly on behalf of blacks,
and famously refused to be drafted into the
Army during the Vietnam War because of
his Muslim beliefs.
Despite his debilitating illness, he trav-
eled the world to rapturous receptions even
after his once-bellowing voice was quiet-
ed and he was left to communicate with a
wink or a weak smile.
Revered by millions worldwide and re-
viled by millions more, Ali cut quite a ig-
ure, 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds in his prime.
“Float like a butterly, sting like a bee,” his
cornermen exhorted, and he did just that
in a way no heavyweight had ever fought
before.
He fought in three different decades,
inished with a record of 56-5 with 37
knockouts — 26 of those bouts promoted
by Arum — and was the irst man to win
heavyweight titles three times.
He whipped the fearsome Sonny Liston
C ontinued on P age 4