WEB DESK: With the theft of a bike, and a purpose to avenge it, a Louisville child started one of the most iconic journey on the way to greatness. Suggested by an officer to learn to box so the boy could have his revenge and his bike, Cassius Marecllus Clay was determined with his purpose, went to gym and learned so well, that the world later knew him, as Muhammad Ali. 

The officer who advised him later became his coach, Joe Martin, teaching him the technicalities involved in the game. In the last four years of his amateur career, he was trained by boxing cutman Chuck Bodak.

Ali became the symbol of liberation for the African Americans in America as he went on to become the record setting heavy weight champion.

As one of the best-known figures of the 20th century, Ali did not believe in modesty and proclaimed himself not only “the greatest” but “the double greatest.”

He died on Friday at the age of 74 after suffering for more than three decades with Parkinson's syndrome, which stole his physical grace and killed his loquaciousness.

Americans had never seen an athlete - or perhaps any public figure - like Ali. He was heavyweight champ a record three times between 1964 and 1978, taking part in some of the sport's most epic bouts.

Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier in Fight of the Century, Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, 1971 A limited edition print of the fight between Ali and Liston in the famous 1965 'Phantom Punch' bout in Lewiston, Maine (Heritage/BNPS) Under Armour has partnered with one of the greatest athletes of all time -- heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali. (John Rooney, Associated Press Muhammad Ali (R) (formerly Cassius Clay), is seen here with his trainer Angelo Dundee ahead of his fight with Ernie Terrell at the Astrodome, Houston, Texas, U.S.Feburary 6, 1967. Action Images / MSI/Reuters/File

Known for his swift knock outs, here are ten best Muhammad Ali's knock outs.

 

With inputs from Reuters