Muhammad Ali Birthday: Legendary Boxer Turns 71, Iconic Moments Remembered (PHOTOS)

PHOTOS: Happy Birthday Champ!
FILE - In this Feb. 8, 1962, file photo, young heavyweight fighter Cassius Clay, who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali, is seen with his trainer Angelo Dundee at City Parks Gym in New York. Dundee, the peerless trainer who was in the corner for Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard and always drew the best out of his fighters, died on Feb. 1, 2012. He was 90. (AP Photo/Dan Grossi, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 8, 1962, file photo, young heavyweight fighter Cassius Clay, who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali, is seen with his trainer Angelo Dundee at City Parks Gym in New York. Dundee, the peerless trainer who was in the corner for Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard and always drew the best out of his fighters, died on Feb. 1, 2012. He was 90. (AP Photo/Dan Grossi, File)

Happy birthday to The Champ! Muhammad Ali celebrates his 71st birthday today, and although it's sure to be much quieter than his 70th birthday festivities, it's surely no less of a call for celebration.

The legendary boxer, who debuted as Cassius Clay, whose body seemed to "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee" in the ring, and who never hesitated to voice his political opinion has carved out quite the space for himself in sporting history, black history and American history. Not only was Ali "The Greatest," he was easily also the most charismatic and polarizing athlete of his time.

In honor of the incomparable heavyweight's birthday, we've rounded up some of the most beautiful and enduring shots of his long, storied life. We sure hope he has the greatest birthday of all time!

Muhammad Ali Through The Years

Muhammad Ali Through The Years

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