Muhammad Ali—a name that reverberates in the hearts of boxing enthusiasts and beyond. His iconic image, urging Sonny Liston to rise and face him, and his legendary battles with boxing giants such as George Foreman, Joe Frazier, and Larry Holmes, mesmerized the world. However, after three years of retirement, Ali's life took an unexpected turn. Let us now uncover the profound events that left him astonished.
Three years after retiring from boxing, Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome.
Boxing's connection to Parkinson's disease, exemplified by Muhammad Ali, remains debated. While head injuries may play a role, causation is inconclusive. Rasheda Ali's interview and a recent study shed light on his condition.
Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's three years after leaving boxing. Rasheda Ali revealed his search for medical assistance since 1981. It's speculated that Ali had the disease during his fighting years, evident in a slight shuffle observed in his late 70s fights.
Having extensively studied Parkinson's, Rasheda noticed symptoms in her father's movements. She observed signs of slowing down as he neared retirement, indicative of typical Parkinson's symptoms.
Rasheda Ali said, “Looking at his fights closer to his retiring, I started to see bits and pieces of him slowing down, which exhibits some of the Parkinson’s symptoms”.
Credit Source: Youcef Hollywood YouTube
Muhammad Ali, a legendary boxer, raised awareness about Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that impacts movement. Over 10 million people worldwide are estimated to live with this condition.