The greatest of all time Muhammad Ali has passed away.

Ali was born in Louisville, Kentucky. His birth name was Cassius Marcellus Clay. He won a gold medal in the Olympics at the age of 18 in Rome, Italy in 1960.

Ali was not only one of the greatest heavyweight champions ever. He also was converted to Islam. Allegedly dodging the Vietnam draft, he was the subject of controversy.

Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest showmen in the history of all sports. He was a great physical presence too. Ali, stood 6-foot-3 and his professional record was 56 wins and 5 losses with 37 knockouts.

I was very lucky years back to be invited twice to visit Muhammad Ali at his home and compound in Berrien Springs. My close friend Bob Every had cultivated a great friendship with the Alis over the years. When I first met Muhammad Ali face- to-face it was a life-changing experience. Ali taught me a magic trick. Still to this day, I cannot believe that I met Ali in such a setting.

Muhammad Ali proclaimed to the world that "I am the greatest." And you know what? He really was.

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