Muhammad Ali, boxing great and cultural symbol, dies at 74 (Reuters)

By Ricardo Arduengo SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Reuters) – Muhammad Ali, the former world heavyweight boxing champion whose record-setting career, flair for showmanship and political stands made him one of the best-known figures of the 20th century, died on Friday aged 74. Ali, who had long suffered from Parkinson’s syndrome which impaired his speech and made the once-graceful athlete almost a prisoner in his own body, died a day after he was admitted to a Phoenix-area hospital with a respiratory ailment. “Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest human beings I have ever met,” said George Foreman, who lost to Ali in Zaire in a classic 1974 bout known as the “Rumble in the Jungle.” “No doubt he was one of the best people to have lived in this day and age.