Muhammad Ali, who riveted the world as 'The Greatest,' dead at 74

He was fast of fist and foot — lip, too — a heavyweight champion who promised to shock the world and did. He floated. He stung. Mostly he thrilled, even after the punches had taken their toll and his voice barely rose above a whisper.
He was The Greatest.
Muhammad Ali died Friday at age 74. He was hospitalized in the Phoenix area with respiratory problems earlier this week, and his children had flown in from around the country. A family spokesman said Saturday Ali died of septic shock "due to unspecified natural causes."
His funeral is scheduled for Friday afternoon at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The city held a memorial service Saturday that included a ceremonial lowering of the flags to half-staff under orders of the mayor.