Muhammad Ali: Difference between revisions

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Ali was diagnosed with [[Parkinson's disease]] in the early 1980s, following which his motor functions began a slow decline. Although Ali's doctors disagreed during the 1980s and 1990s about whether his symptoms were caused by boxing and whether or not his condition was degenerative,<ref name=vitapro>{{cite web| url=http://www.vitapro.com/Indonesia/ali1.htm | title =The World's Champion | author=Wiliam Plumber |date=1997-01-07| |publisher=www.people.com| accessdate =June 24| accessyear =2006}}</ref> he was ultimately diagnosed with [[Pugilistic Parkinson's syndrome]]. By late 2005 it was reported that Ali's condition was notably worsening.<ref name=vitapro/> According to the documentary ''[[When We Were Kings]]'', when Ali was asked about whether he has any regrets about boxing due to his disability, he responded that if he didn't box he would still be a painter in Louisville, Kentucky.

[[Image:Ali.jpg|left|thumb|150px]]

Despite the disability, he remains a beloved and active public figure. Recently he was voted into Forbes Celebrity 100 coming in at number 13 behind [[Donald Trump]]. In 1985, he served as a guest referee at the inaugural [[WrestleMania (1985)|WrestleMania]] event. In 1987 he was selected by the California Bicentennial Foundation for the U.S. Constitution to personify the vitality of the [[United States Constitution|U.S. Constitution]] and [[United States Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]] in various high profile activities. Ali rode on a float at the 1988 [[Tournament of Roses Parade]], launching the U.S. Constitution's 200th birthday commemoration. He also published an oral history, ''Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times with Thomas Hauser'', in 1991. Ali received a [[Spirit of America Award]] calling him the most recognized American in the world. In 1996, he had the honor of lighting the flame at the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia]].