He was a champion in, outside the ring: #tellusatoday

A previous version of this article included a Facebook comment from J. Fogerty. 

Letter to the editor:

My friend and I had arrived late at the theater in downtown Los Angeles to see the rematch fight between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston. The crowd in the big theater was pushy. Finally, we got a seat as the fight was just starting. I took off my coat, and as I turned to put it on my seat, I heard the crowd roar. I looked around just in time to see Liston being counted out. There were those who felt Liston threw the fight. The thought that stuck with me was that I had just seen a true champion. The years that followed proved it to be true.

Out of all of his fights, he proved his character the most in his battle with Parkinson’s disease. He never lost his zest for life. A real champion of a category we are not likely to see again for a very long time.

Larry Palmer; Norco, Calif.

Letter to the editor:

The fascination of the life of Muhammad Ali is baffling to a civilized citizen. Why does boxing exist? The sport of going into a ring and attempting to bang someone's brains out and have people cheer should have long been dismissed. Ali has been likened to one of the greatest athletes who ever lived. This should not be considered athletic prowess.

Sensible people should be offended that humans would do such things to one another.

Bea Beck; McCordsville, Ind.

Facebook comments are edited for clarity, length and grammar:

Rest in peace Muhammed Ali. My condolences to your family and friends on their loss. My mother diedthe same way. Once you get sepsis it’s an imminent death sentence.

— Kathy Welch

Ali was a living symbol of African strength, and he fought for African liberation. In the black community, his fights stood for the reclamation of African honor and respect. He is beloved because he recognized the suffering within his community.

— Helen Nance

Yes, Muhammad Ali was a great boxer, but he was an even better humanitarian.

— Jean Mailer

Ali showed faith and courage, in life and death. He is more of an American and hero than most men could ever dream of being.

— Darrell Brown

We asked our followers to share how Muhammad Ali impacted their lives. Twitter comments are edited for clarity, length and grammar:

He made me proud of my religion.

— @handsomman5

Muhammad Ali taught me how to be unapologetically black and Muslim, while being a good American.

— @DawudWalid

Be proud of who you are and your faith, against all odds. Made me boxing fan forever.

— @sknskn13

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