Remembering Muhammad Ali

‘’Without question his legacy is one that he defied the odds because he stood up for what he believed in and when he was put to the test he took personal harm rather than go against his beliefs and what he stood for.” — Don King, shown second from right, promoter of the famous boxing matches “Rumble in the Jungle” and “Thrilla in Manilla”

(Peer Grimm / EPA)

Chicago Tribune

June 4, 2016 11:03 AM PT

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After Muhammad Ali’s death June 3, 2016, memorials to the boxing legend appeared around the world, and those who knew him were quick to share their thoughts on Ali and his legacy.

“I gave Ali the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 and wondered aloud how he stayed so pretty throughout so many fights. It probably had to do with his beautiful soul. He was a fierce fighter and he’s a man of peace, just like Odessa and Cassius Clay Sr. believed their son could be.” — Former President George W. Bush, shown right

(Evan Vucci / AP)

Then-Illinois state Sen. Barack Obama reads through his keynote address in his Chicago U.S. Senate campaign office before delivering it at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Above him is a photo of Muhammad Ali standing victorious over Sonny Liston in 1965.

(M. Spencer Green / AP)

“Ali, the G-O-A-T. A giant, an inspiration, a man of peace, a warrior for the cure. Thank you.” — tweet by actor Michael J. Fox, shown right, who has Parkinson’s disease, an illness Muhammad Ali battled in his later years

(Kenneth Lambert / Associated Press)

A makeshift memorial is seen outside Muhammad Ali’s childhood home in Louisville, Ky., on June 4, 2016.

(Michael B. Thomas / AFP/Getty Images)

Pakistani women light candles as they pay respects to Muhammad Ali in Multan on June 4, 2016.

(SS Mirza / AFP/Getty Images)

A woman places flowers at a memorial outside the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Ky., on June 4, 2016.

(Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images)

A woman lights a candle on June 4, 2016, at a memorial for Muhammad Ali outside the Scottsdale, Ariz., hospital where he died.

(Alfredo Estrella / AFP/Getty Images)

'I Am The Greatest, Muhammad Ali' exhibition, London

A flower is placed as a tribute at the “I Am The Greatest, Muhammad Ali” exhibition at the O2 arena, which hosts high-profile boxing fights in London, on June 4, 2016.

(Matt Dunham / AP)