LOS ANGELES – Legendary three-time heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, who bragged that he was “the greatest” and then backed up the claim in the ring, died Friday in Phoenix, Arizona. He was 74.
A family spokesman, Bob Gunnell, issued a statement saying that Ali died late Friday. “After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening,” Gunnell said.