When they started the Olympic Games 1996 in Atlanta Several speculated about who would be the flame to light the cauldron. At the opening ceremony, the world-which in many hundreds of millions was watching the opening, was shocked to see a 54-year-old stand up straight and despite the tremors of Parkinson's damn evil generated in your body, managed to turn it on. The man, who for many is the greatest fighter in history and for many the best athlete of all time, this January 17, 2012 is serving 70 years. Born as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, self-appointed Muhammad Ali , arrives at its first seven decades of a legend ...

Legend forged in 61 fights, 56 wins of which 37 were by knockout. Victories that time were not as simple as these times because the fighting was a 1st rounder and the regulation was not as benevolent as it is today. His rivals were of high quality from which we can name Sonny Liston, Henry Cooper, George Chuvalo, Floyd Patterson, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, George Foreman and Leon Spinks.

ROME MEDAL 1960 AND OHIO RIVER

Cassius Clay as he was known then, won the gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics and with this formidable victory stood in the center of the consideration of the environment Pugilist. However, this medal is not in his power for when he was refused entry to a restaurant-whites supposedly threw it into the river bottom. That was not his only reaction against racism as well as refused to fight in Vietnam. This cost him his title of World Champion and sentenced to 5 years in prison.

I have no conflict with the Vietcong and none of its members called me nigger (black)

Ali said at the time.

TRIUMPHANT RETURN AND RETIREMENT

He returned after the prison to box and after a failed attempt to Joe Frazier, regained the belt in Zaire against George Foreman. Leon Spinks took the title in the rematch but recovered. In 1981 fell to Trevor Berbick points and ended his career ...

Then, the fight against Parkinson's and this unforgettable moment. We remember him not without telling Muhammad Ali Happy Birthday!