Muhammad Ali was hospitalized with a mild case of pneumonia. (Getty)
Boxing great Muhammad Ali was admitted to an undisclosed Louisville hospital Saturday with what is being called a “mild” case of pneumonia.
Spokesman Bob Gunnell said Ali said the pneumonia was caught early and his stay at the hospital should be a short one.
Here’s what you need to know about Ali:
1. Ali is Said to Have a ‘Mild’ Case of Pneumonia
(Getty)
1. Ali, 72, was admitted to the hospital early Saturday morning and was being treated by his team of doctors.
“He was admitted earlier this morning and because the pneumonia was caught early, his prognosis is good with a short hospital stay expected,” Gunnell said.
Ali was in stable condition, but no other details have been released at the request of the family, Gunnell said.
2. Ali is Battling Parkinson’s Disease
(Getty)
Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984.
Parkinson’s is a disease of the nervous system marked by tremors, muscular rigidity and slow movement and it often affects older people.
3. Ali Made a Rare Public Appearance in September
Ali made a recent and rare public appearance in Louisville for the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards in September.
Upon his retirement from the ring, Ali was a staunch supporter of social and humanitarian causes.
Those efforts earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.
At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Ali was the flag bearer during the opening ceremonies.
4. Ali Retired in 1981
Ali retired from boxing in 1981 with a 56-5 record, which included 37 wins by knockout.
He was a 3-time world heavyweight champion, winning his first at the age of 22 in 1964 by upsetting Sonny Liston.
Ali began his career 31-0 before suffering his first loss, a 15-round unanimous decision loss to Joe Frazier. Nearly 3 years later, he beat Frazier in a 12-round unanimous decision. Ali beat Frazier for the second time in 1975 in the famed “Thrilla in Manilla” with a TKO in the 14th round.
Ali lost his final 2 fights – to Larry Holmes and finally to Trevor Berbick on Dec. 11, 1981.
5. Ali Has Been Married to His Wife For 28 Years
Born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., Ali has been married to his wife Lonnie since 1986 and the couple has 1 adopted son, Asaad Amin.
He was married 3 times previously and has 7 daughters and 2 sons.
His most famous child is daughter Laila, who became a boxer herself in 1999. The 36-year-old is 24-0 with 21 knockouts. She hasn’t fought since February 2007. Laila is the 8th of the 9 children and the youngest daughter.
She currently hosts the CBS show All In With Laila Ali.
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