Boxing champ Muhammad Ali, 74, RIP

Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer who proclaimed himself “The Greatest” and was among the most famous and beloved athletes on the planet, died Friday in Phoenix, a family spokesman said. Ali had been at a hospital since Thursday with what spokesman Bob Gunnell had described as a respiratory issue. “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 in a statement. “The Ali family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support and asks for privacy at this time”/CNN. More here.