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The Greatest: Remembering Muhammad Ali on 6th anniversary of his death

The Greatest. That describes Muhammad Ali in his simplest and purest form. Ali died six years ago on June 3, 2016, at the age of 74. But his legacy lives on to this day. "Muhammad Ali made boxing a worldwide sport," said Hall of Fame boxing trainer Freddie Roach. "He drew the fans in and brought more visibility to the sport and to humanitarian causes."

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"I am America. I am the part you won't recognize," said Ali to his detractors. "But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me." Ali also refused to serve in the Vietnam War in 1967 due to his religious beliefs, saying at the time, "No, I'm not going 10,000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over." Ali was found guilty of draft evasion, sentenced to five years in prison, and stripped of his heavyweight title. His conviction was eventually overturned, but he was banned from boxing for three years for taking such a bold stance. Ali was an anti-establishment figure who transcended race, religion, and every other barrier that kept the world divided. His battles outside the ring only complemented and highlighted his fights inside the ring. "His greatness was his ability to connect with people," said Roach. "Muhammad Ali was the face of boxing, and in a lot of ways he still is."