Muhammad Ali – 10 interesting facts you must know about 'The Greatest' boxer

New Delhi: Without a doubt, Muhammad Ali will go down as one of the greatest sporting icons ever in the history.

The legendary boxer, who passed way at the age of 74, has left behind him plenty of memories which his fan will cherish forever.

Here are some of the interesting facts you must know about his life:

Ali first stepped in the ring at a young age of 12 in his hometown of Louisville, Ky., after his bicycle was stolen and a police officer suggested he learn how to box.

At the age of 22, he had made a name for himself and won the World Heavyweight Championship in 1964 by defeating Sonny Liston in seven rounds, in what is believed to be one of the biggest sporting upsets ever.

After that stunning win, Ali, who was originally known as Cassius Clay, joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name.

Ali won 100 out of 108 amateur fights and also won a gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. There were several reports later that he allegedly chucked the medal into a river after a waitress at a soda fountain in Louisville refused to serve him because he was black.

In 1967 when he was at his peak, at the age of 32, Ali had been banned from the sport for three years and stripped of his boxing title due to his refusal to be drafted to Vietnam for religious reasons.

Ali is a three-time heavyweight champion (1964, 1974, 1978).

Ali retired in 1981 after losing to Trevor Berbick in his 61st career bout.

He finished his career in 1981 with a record of 56 wins (including 37 by knockout) and five losses.

Three years later, he was diagnosed with Parkinson disease.

Ali, who called himself "The Greatest," was married four times and had nine children, including daughter Laila, who also became a professional boxer. Ali and his fourth wife, Yolanda "Lonnie" Williams, had been married since 1986.