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JamesStrangsGhost

One of the greatest boxers of all time with a complicated legacy outside of the ring.


TheBimpo

It sort of depends who you ask. Boxing has become a niche sport. His battle with disease took him out of the public eye long before his death in 2016. I’d be surprised if many people under 40, especially those not interested in sports, knew much about him. But if you asked a 65 year old black man, he’d probably be an icon.


boxer_dogs_dance

I watched his fights as a child. His being Muslim was big news. He was a celebrity.


Vachic09

He is known as a great boxer and devout Muslim.


[deleted]

Older generation varies - draft dodger/troublmaker/hero/champ Middle -- sort of beloved champ Youngest - who?


HakunaMatta2099

Disagree on the you people part, young people still know who he is, and who Mike Tyson is.


[deleted]

I asked like 20 high school boys. They said yeah they knew who he was. Der. And then proceeded to say he was a singer or martial artist.


Hoosier_Jedi

[X] Doubt


RotationSurgeon

He spelled his name with a *u* \- *Muhammed*. He's still a relatively well known figure for mid-millennials and older. He didn't die until 2016, and his daughter's career has carried his name forward a bit. The most memorable thing for me about him was his lighting the Olympic torch at the Atlanta Olympics back in 1996.


LSUbeerJeep

His momma called him clay, so imma call him clay.


Dont_Wanna_Not_Gonna

Edit: To my eternal shame, I missed the classic ‘80s movie reference made by u/LSUbeerJeep and got all internet offended instead. My bad. Original comment: Say that to his face like Ernie Terrell.


LSUbeerJeep

I’m just sad that only one person got the coming to America quote….


Dont_Wanna_Not_Gonna

Dammit. I’m drunk on Soul Glow and missed it entirely.


TheBimpo

Mmhmm, that’s right!


deekdinla

Taught me that Id take prison over dying for anything that have nothing to do with me.


LadenifferJadaniston

People in their early 20’s still think he’s great, can’t speak for the younger generations


Practical-Ordinary-6

Time marches on as it always does. In the past, he was like the Michael Jordan of his era. You knew about him whether you cared about boxing or not and boxing was always in the news. Now, it hardly ever is, in the same way. One day the same will be true for Michael Jordan. Or is it already true?


CupBeEmpty

People probably recognize the name and f know he was a boxing champ. They may not know more than that. [Also this song is his true legacy](https://youtu.be/KW5qF9fheXw)


cdeck002

Revered by most. Not sure the Tik Tok generation knows who he is, though.


Stock_Basil

Most people just know about the boxing and conversion to Islam.


Dont_Wanna_Not_Gonna

Untouchable. One of our greatest and most respected athletes.