After being hospitalised for a respiratory condition, former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali passed away on June 3

The world mourns the loss of a man who has left a vacuum in many hearts. Muhammad Ali embodied greatness. The genius captivated the world with his magic not only in the ring but also beyond. An odd twist of fate led to the discovery of young Ali’s talent. At the age of 12, when his bike was stolen, he told police officer Joe Martin, “I’m gonna whup whoever stole my bike!”

Martin, who trained young boxers at a local gym, told him that he better learns to fight before he starts challenging people. And after a mere six-month training, Ali, then still known as Cassius Clay, won his debut match. His untamed spirit and fervour continued in the years to come. In 1960, he was selected for Rome Olympics—a path that paved way for the future three-time heavyweight world champion. His agility and effortless footwork in the ring and his lightning punches earned him the fearsome reputation of a fighter. Known for his sharp verbal jabs, the King of Trash Talk remains infamous for taunting world heavyweight champion Sonny Liston: “If Liston even dreamed he could beat me, he’d wake up and apologise.”

But boxing was one facet of this towering figure who left an impression through his work as a philanthropist, a humanitarian and as a people’s champ. A vocal activist for civil rights, he spoke against racism, intolerance and war. His work built the America we know today. In 1965, he renounced his “slave name” and declared that he has become a Black Muslim. When he refused to enter the Vietnam War—the first to speak out against the war—he was stripped of his championship titles, his licence was revoked and was sentenced to five years in prison when he was found guilty of violating Selective Service laws.

Speaking on his stance to refuse to serve in the war, he said, “... I have said it once and I will say it again. The real enemy of my people is here... I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs. So I’ll go to jail, so what? We’ve been in jail for 400 years.” Ali remained undaunted to voice his opinions. He fought not only inside the ring but also outside. In June 1971, the US Supreme Court overturned the conviction and he made an extraordinary comeback after four years of exile.

On Friday, June 3, the world lost not only the greatest sportsman of the century but also a man who was kind and benevolent; who was never afraid to speak his mind and who stood up for people’s rights. Muhammad Ali will always be remembered as a man who inspired the world to chase their dreams. He said it best himself: “I would like to be remembered as a man who won the heavyweight title three times, who was humorous and who treated everyone right. As a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him...who stood up for his beliefs...who tried to unite all humankind through fate and love..."