Editing Muhammad Ali (section)

==Legacy==
===In boxing===
Ali remains the only three-time [[Lineal championship|lineal heavyweight champion]]. He is the only boxer to be named [[The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year|''The Ring'' magazine Fighter of the Year]] six times and was involved in more ''Ring'' "Fight of the Year" bouts than any other fighter. He was one of only three boxers to be named "[[Sportsman of the Year]]" by ''Sports Illustrated''. He was also named [[BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year]] three times.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/7659905.stm|title=Sports Personality facts and figures|publisher=BBC|date=October 9, 2008|access-date=February 1, 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081217122029/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/7659905.stm| archive-date= December 17, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

Ali was inducted into the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]] in its first year<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/modern/ali.html |title=Muhammad Ali |website=International Boxing Hall of Fame |access-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017200549/http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/modern/ali.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and held wins over seven other Hall of Fame inductees during an era that has been called the golden age of heavyweight boxing.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}} His joint records of beating [[World heavyweight boxing championship records and statistics|21 boxers]] for the world heavyweight title and winning 14 unified title bouts stood for 35 years.{{refn|group=note|These records are shared with [[Joe Louis]] and [[José Napoles]], respectively. Both these records were eventually beaten by [[Wladimir Klitschko]].}}{{refn|group=note|Some sources claim that [[Joe Louis]] has actually defeated 22 fighters for the world heavyweight title; that would make Louis the sole holder of the eventually broken record.}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fakty.ua/393919-mohammed-ali-boyalsya-letat-v-samolete-80-let-nazad-rodilsya-samyj-izvestnyj-v-mire-sportsmen|title=Мохаммед Алі боявся літати: 80 років тому народився найвідоміший у світі спортсмен|publisher=[[Fakty i Kommentarii]]|date=January 17, 2022|access-date=April 30, 2022|language=uk|archive-date=April 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430113952/https://fakty.ua/393919-mohammed-ali-boyalsya-letat-v-samolete-80-let-nazad-rodilsya-samyj-izvestnyj-v-mire-sportsmen|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://isport.ua/boxing/2589695-glavnye-sobytiya-desyatiletiya-boks|title=Главные события десятилетия: бокс|work=isport.ua|date=December 27, 2020|access-date=February 21, 2021|language=ru|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311033436/https://isport.ua/boxing/2589695-glavnye-sobytiya-desyatiletiya-boks|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=English language sources would make claims easier to verify for readers|date=December 2023}}

===In hip-hop===
{{Poem quote
|text=I've wrestled with alligators, I've tussled with a whale.
I done handcuffed lightning and throw thunder in jail.
You know I'm bad.
Just last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick.
I'm so mean, I make medicine sick.
|sign=Muhammad Ali<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-ali-quotes-factbox-idUSKCN0YQ082 |title=Muhammad Ali, in his own words |work=[[Reuters]] |date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=September 17, 2023 |archive-date=October 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005182311/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-ali-quotes-factbox-idUSKCN0YQ082 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

Ali often used [[rhyme scheme]]s and spoken word poetry when trash talking in boxing, and also delivered political poetry in his activism outside of boxing.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 26, 2012 |title=Muhammad Ali – press conference 1974 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTr-p-Y4P00 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203151928/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTr-p-Y4P00 |archive-date=February 3, 2014 |access-date=November 5, 2013 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/JwPPM_vaNrI Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20130227191902/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwPPM_vaNrI&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |date=February 12, 2011 |title=Muhammad Ali – Pre Liston Poetry & Highlights |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwPPM_vaNrI |access-date=November 5, 2013 |publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/J6Hey54O6Qs Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20120921032346/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Hey54O6Qs Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |date=January 6, 2010 |title=Muhammad Ali Famous Interview After Defeating Foreman |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Hey54O6Qs |access-date=November 5, 2013 |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He played a role in the shaping of the black poetic tradition, paving the way for [[The Last Poets]] in 1968, [[Gil Scott-Heron]] in 1970, and the emergence of [[rap music]] in the 1970s.<ref name="nytimes2">{{cite news |last=Gates |first=Henry Louis Jr. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/09/opinion/muhammad-ali-the-political-poet.html |title=Muhammad Ali, the Political Poet |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026123948/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/09/opinion/muhammad-ali-the-political-poet.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ali has been referred to as "the first rapper".<ref>{{cite news |title=Muhammad Ali's influence ran deep through rap's golden age |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/jun/06/muhammad-ali-influence-rap-golden-age |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 6, 2016 |language=en |access-date=May 15, 2018 |archive-date=May 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515185532/https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/jun/06/muhammad-ali-influence-rap-golden-age |url-status=live }}</ref> As a "rhyming trickster", he was noted for his boasts, "funky delivery", "comical trash talk", and "endless quotables".<ref name="rollingstone1">{{cite magazine |last=Reeves |first=Mosi |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/muhammad-ali-worlds-greatest-boxer-was-also-hip-hop-pioneer-20160604 |title=Muhammad Ali: World's Greatest Boxer Was Also Hip-Hop Pioneer |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=May 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515184644/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/muhammad-ali-worlds-greatest-boxer-was-also-hip-hop-pioneer-20160604 }}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' notes his "[[Freestyle rap|freestyle]] skills" and his "rhymes, flow, and braggadocio" would "one day become typical of [[Old school hip hop|old school]] MCs like [[Run DMC]] and [[LL Cool J]]", and his "outsized ego foreshadowed the vainglorious excesses of [[Kanye West]], while his [[Afrocentrism|Afrocentric]] consciousness and cutting honesty pointed forward to modern bards like [[Rakim]], [[Nas]], [[Jay-Z]], and [[Kendrick Lamar]]."<ref name="rollingstone2">{{cite magazine |last=Rubin |first=Mike |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/muhammad-ali-4-ways-he-changed-america-20160605 |title=Muhammad Ali: 4 Ways He Changed America |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 5, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=May 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515185135/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/muhammad-ali-4-ways-he-changed-america-20160605 }}</ref>

In 2006, the documentary ''Ali Rap'' was produced by [[ESPN]], with [[Chuck D]] of [[Public Enemy]] as the host.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thesource.com/2016/06/09/the-10-best-muhammad-ali-references-in-hip-hop/ |title=The 10 Best Muhammad Ali References In Hip Hop |last=Berry |first=Ben |date=June 9, 2016 |website=The Source |language=en-US |access-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419002903/http://thesource.com/2016/06/09/the-10-best-muhammad-ali-references-in-hip-hop/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Other rappers narrated the documentary as well, including [[Doug E Fresh]], [[Ludacris]] and Rakim who all spoke on Ali's behalf in the film.

Ali has been cited as an inspiration by many celebrated rappers, throughout the following decades, such as LL Cool J,<ref name="rollingstone1" /> Chuck D,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://andscape.com/features/muhammad-ali-the-original-rapper/ |title=Muhammad Ali: The original rapper – Legendary emcee Chuck D of Public Enemy talks Ali's impact on hip-hop |website=[[Andscape]] |date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=July 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702051928/https://andscape.com/features/muhammad-ali-the-original-rapper/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jay-Z, [[Eminem]], [[Sean Combs]], [[Slick Rick]], Nas and [[MC Lyte]],<ref name="cbsnews">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jay-z-eminem-and-more-hip-hop-luminaries-remember-muhammad-ali/ |title=Jay Z, Eminem and more hip-hop luminaries remember Muhammad Ali |work=[[CBS News]] |date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=August 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812105446/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/jay-z-eminem-and-more-hip-hop-luminaries-remember-muhammad-ali/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and is frequently mentioned in popular hip-hop songs.<ref name="cbsnews" />

===In Ali's hometown===
In 1978, shortly after becoming heavyweight champion of the world for the third time, and three years before his permanent retirement, Ali received a round of accolades in his hometown of Louisville. In September, at a tribute ceremony held at [[Fairgrounds Stadium]], then-Governor of Kentucky [[Julian Carroll]] proclaimed 1978 the "Year of Ali" and presented to Ali the Governor's Distinguished Service Award. Carroll said he signed the proclamation because "no single day or week – or even month – ever could contain the deeds of this man."<ref>{{cite news |last=Aubespin |first=Mervin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-muhammad-ali-receive/136552375/ |title=Louisville lets Ali know it's in his corner |date=September 22, 1978 |work=[[The Courier-Journal]] |pages=1, 3 |via=[[newspapers.com]] |access-date=December 9, 2023}}</ref> In November, the [[Louisville Board of Aldermen]] voted 6–5 to rename downtown thoroughfare Walnut Street to [[Muhammad Ali Boulevard]], via an ordinance shortly signed into law by then-Mayor [[William B. Stansbury]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-louisville-mayor-sig/136553492/ |title=Mayor signs law naming street for Ali |date=November 29, 1978 |work=[[The Courier-Journal]] |page=A2 |via=[[newspapers.com]] |access-date=December 9, 2023}}</ref> This was controversial at the time, as within a week 12 of the 70 street signs were stolen.<ref name="Hill">{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Hill |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-growing-acceptance-o/136541417/ |title=Ali stirs conflicting emotions in hometown |work=[[The Courier-Journal]] |via=[[newspapers.com]] |date=November 19, 2005 |page=K5 |access-date=December 9, 2023}}</ref>

[[File:AliCenter.jpg|thumb|The [[Muhammad Ali Center]], alongside Interstate 64 on Louisville, Kentucky's riverfront]]
As the street renaming was under consideration, a committee of the [[Jefferson County Public Schools (Kentucky)|Jefferson County Public Schools]] (Kentucky) considered renaming Ali's alma mater, [[Central High School (Louisville, Kentucky)|Central High School]], in his honor. Despite an initial endorsement by then-[[Jefferson County Judge/Executive]] and current [[U.S. Senate Minority Leader]] [[Mitch McConnell]], and an affirmative vote by the Jefferson County [[Fiscal Court]], the committee decided not to proceed, citing long-time school tradition and alumni disagreement, even though they urged other ways to honor Ali in the community.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kaukas |first=Dick |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-jcps-declines-to-ren/136542679/ |title=A decision goes against Muhammad Ali |date=September 30, 1978 |work=[[The Courier-Journal]] |page=9 |via=[[newspapers.com]] |access-date=December 9, 2023}}</ref> In time, Muhammad Ali Boulevard—and Ali himself—came to be well accepted in his hometown.<ref name="Hill"/>

In November 2005, Ali and his wife Lonnie Ali opened the $54{{nbsp}}million, 93,000{{nbsp}}ft<sup>2</sup>, non-profit [[Muhammad Ali Center]] in downtown Louisville.<ref name="Crouse-2016" /><ref name="Coomes">{{cite news |last=Coomes |first=Mark |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-cost-size-and-gener/136568781/ |title='The Greatest'; Party lifts curtain on a shining tribute to Ali |date=November 20, 2005 |work=[[The Courier-Journal]] |page=A8 |via=[[newspapers.com]] |access-date=December 9, 2023}}</ref> In addition to displaying his boxing memorabilia, the center focuses on core themes of peace, social responsibility, respect, and personal growth.<ref name="Coomes"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Shafer |first=Sheldon S. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-basically-what-the-a/136568273/ |title='Center will revolve around ideas'; Memorabilia just part of mission |date=November 19, 2005 |work=[[The Courier-Journal]] |page=K2 |via=[[newspapers.com]] |access-date=December 9, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://alicenter.org/exhibits-and-events/ |title=Exhibits & Events |website=alicenter.org |date=February 17, 2023 |access-date=December 9, 2023}}</ref>

On January 16, 2019, the Louisville Regional Airport Authority voted to change the name of the city's main airport to "[[Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport]]" in honor of Ali.<ref name="Ali Airport">{{Cite press release |url=http://www.flylouisville.com/wp-content/uploads/Release-Mayor-Fischer-celebrates-decision-to-rename-Louisville-airport-to-honor-Muhammad-Ali-1-16-19_FINAL_FOR_WEB.pdf |title=Mayor Fischer celebrates decision to rename Louisville airport to honor Muhammad Ali |date=January 16, 2019 |publisher=Louisville Metro Government and Louisville Regional Airport Authority |access-date=May 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122044413/http://www.flylouisville.com/wp-content/uploads/Release-Mayor-Fischer-celebrates-decision-to-rename-Louisville-airport-to-honor-Muhammad-Ali-1-16-19_FINAL_FOR_WEB.pdf |archive-date=January 22, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Then-Louisville mayor Greg Fischer upon the occasion said:{{blockquote|Muhammad Ali belonged to the world, but he only had one hometown, and fortunately, that is our great city of Louisville. Muhammad became one of the most well-known people to ever walk the Earth and has left a legacy of humanitarianism and athleticism that has inspired billions of people. It [is] important that we, as a city, further champion The Champ's legacy, and the airport renaming is a wonderful next step.<ref name="Ali Airport" />}} On June 6, 2019, the airport unveiled its new logo, featuring "Ali's silhouette, arms up and victorious, against the background of a butterfly."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ladd |first1=Sarah |title=Louisville's renamed Muhammad Ali International Airport debuts logo |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2019/06/07/louisvilles-muhammad-ali-international-airport-unveils-logo/1378182001/ |website=usatoday.com |publisher=Louisville Courier Journal |access-date=June 7, 2019 |date=June 7, 2019 |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419172909/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2019/06/07/louisvilles-muhammad-ali-international-airport-unveils-logo/1378182001/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Around the US and world===
Martial artist and actor [[Bruce Lee]] was influenced by Ali, whose [[Footwork (martial arts)|footwork]] he studied and incorporated into his own style while developing [[Jeet Kune Do]] in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last1=Vaughn |editor-first1=Jack |editor-last2=Lee |editor-first2=Mike |title=The Legendary Bruce Lee |date=1986 |publisher=[[Black Belt Communications]] |isbn=978-0-89750-106-4 |page=127 |url={{GBurl|id=D8d_YjWV9k4C|p=127}}}}</ref>

Opened in 1976, [[Ali Mall]], located in [[Araneta Center]], Quezon City, Philippines, is named after Ali. Construction of the mall, the first of its kind in the Philippines, began shortly after his victory in a match with Joe Frazier in nearby [[Araneta Coliseum]] in 1975. Ali attended its opening.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aranetacenter.net/2008/archiveAlimallComeback.php |title=Ali Mall: First Ever Shopping Mall Makes A Comeback |publisher=[[Araneta Center]] |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902164449/http://www.aranetacenter.net/2008/archiveAlimallComeback.php |archive-date=September 2, 2016}}</ref> The [[Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki]] fight the same year played an important role in the history of [[mixed martial arts]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Gross |first=Josh |title=Ali vs. Inoki: The Forgotten Fight That Inspired Mixed Martial Arts and Launched Sports Entertainment |date=2016 |publisher=[[BenBella Books]] |isbn=978-1-942952-19-0 |url={{GBurl|id=GPCGDAAAQBAJ}} |language=en}}</ref> In Japan, the match inspired Inoki's students [[Masakatsu Funaki]] and [[Minoru Suzuki]] to found [[Pancrase]] in 1993, which in turn inspired the foundation of [[Pride Fighting Championships]] in 1997. Pride was acquired by its rival, [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]], in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/06/what-role-did-boxer-muhammad-ali-play-in-early-mma-let-ali-vs-inoki-author-josh-gross-explain |title=What role did boxer Muhammad Ali play in early MMA? Let 'Ali vs. Inoki' author Josh Gross explain |work=[[MMAjunkie]] |date=June 13, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/5/2/4220042/ufc-mma-history-origins-pride-fc-rickson-gracie-Nobuhiko-Takada |title=MMA Origins: Fighting For Pride |website=BloodyElbow |last=Grant |first=T. P. |date=May 2, 2013 |access-date=September 4, 2016}}</ref>

[[File:President George W. Bush Embraces Muhammad Ali.jpg|thumb|President [[George W. Bush]] embraces Ali after presenting him with the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] in 2005, during ceremonies at the White House.]]
Ali was the recipient of the 1997 [[Arthur Ashe Courage Award]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Emily Mae|last=Czachor|title=Celebrating 25 years, the ESPYs have become more than a sports awards show|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-st-ahead-of-its-25th-anniversary-the-espys-look-back-20170711-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 13, 2017|access-date=September 10, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014235008/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-st-ahead-of-its-25th-anniversary-the-espys-look-back-20170711-story.html|archive-date=October 14, 2017}}</ref> He was presented with the [[Presidential Citizens Medal]] by President [[Bill Clinton]] in January 2001<ref>{{cite web |url=http://clinton5.nara.gov/WH/new/html/Mon_Jan_8_141714_2001.html |title=President Clinton Awards the Presidential Citizens Medals |date=January 8, 2001 |work=Today at The White House |publisher=National Archives and Records Administration |access-date=June 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801215612/http://clinton5.nara.gov/WH/new/html/Mon_Jan_8_141714_2001.html|archive-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> and with the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] by President [[George W. Bush]] in November 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051103-5.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306114811/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051103-5.html |archive-date=March 6, 2008 |title=Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients |date=November 3, 2005 |publisher=White House Press Secretary |access-date=May 20, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2219166 |title=Bush presents Ali with Presidential Medal of Freedom |date=November 14, 2005 |work=ESPN |access-date=February 16, 2009}}</ref> For his work with the civil rights movement and the United Nations, he received the [[Otto Hahn Peace Medal|Otto Hahn Peace Medal in Gold]] from the [[United Nations Association|UN Association of Germany]] (DGVN) in Berlin in December 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/briefs-ali-to-receive-otto-hahn-medal-today-in-berlin/ |title=Briefs: Ali to receive Otto Hahn Medal today in Berlin |date=December 17, 2005 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=June 5, 2016}}</ref>

The [[Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act]] was introduced in 1999 and passed in 2000, to protect the rights and welfare of boxers in the United States. In May 2016, a bill was introduced to [[United States Congress]] by [[Markwayne Mullin]], a politician and former [[MMA]] fighter, to extend the Ali Act to [[mixed martial arts]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/6/12/11911444/click-debate-whats-all-this-talk-about-the-ali-act-coming-to-mma |title=Click Debate: What's all this talk about the Ali Act coming to MMA? |website=[[MMAjunkie]] |last=Raimondi |first=Marc |date=June 12, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016}}</ref> In June 2016, US senator [[Rand Paul]] proposed an amendment to the [[Conscription in the United States|US draft laws]] named after Ali, a proposal to eliminate the [[Selective Service System]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Klimas |first=Jacqueline |url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/rand-pauls-amendment-to-knock-out-the-draft-named-after-muhammad-ali/article/2593175 |title=Rand Paul's amendment to knock out the draft named after Muhammad Ali |work=[[Washington Examiner]] |date=June 7, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016}}</ref>

In June 2007, Ali received an honorary doctorate of humanities at [[Princeton University]]'s 260th graduation ceremony.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Joe |title=Boxing legend Ali gets Princeton degree |work=The Star-Ledger |date=June 5, 2007 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2007/06/boxing_legend_ali_gets_princet_1.html |access-date=June 5, 2007}}</ref>

In 2015, ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' renamed its Sportsman Legacy Award to the ''Sports Illustrated''{{'s}} Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. The annual award was originally created in 2008 and honors former "sports figures who embody the ideals of sportsmanship, leadership and philanthropy as vehicles for changing the world". Ali first appeared on the magazine's cover in 1963 and went on to be featured on numerous covers during his storied career.<ref name="q456">{{cite magazine | title=SI dedicates Sportsman Legacy Award to Ali | magazine=Sports Illustrated | date=September 25, 2015 | url=https://www.si.com/boxing/2015/09/25/sports-illustrated-sportsman-year-legacy-award-renamed-for-muhammad-ali | access-date=September 16, 2024}}</ref>

The [[Society of Voice Arts and Sciences]] created the Muhammad Ali Voice of Humanity Honor in 2016, which is presented at its annual Voice Arts Awards. The award was created in collaboration with the Muhammad Ali Center and is presented to "an individual whose voice, through humanitarianism, activism or personal sacrifice, has made a decidedly positive impact on our national or global condition as a society". Sculptor Marc Mellon created the bronze sculpture for the award, which depicts Ali mid-speech.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=3KN27BCK|title=Muhammad Ali & Challenge To 'Do Great Things' Will Be Honored At Voice Arts® Awards Gala|website=Voice-Over Xtra!|date=August 12, 2016|access-date=June 21, 2023}}</ref> Recipients of the honor include Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Ken Burns, Vance Jones, Lonnie Ali, Stacey Abrams, Wes Studi, and Manuela Testolini.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sovas.org/winners-and-nominees/|title=Winners and Nominees|website=[[Society of Voice Arts and Sciences]]|access-date=June 21, 2023}}</ref>

In January 2017, the Muhammad Ali Commemorative Coin Act was introduced into the [[115th Congress]] but was not enacted.<ref>{{cite web |title=H.R. 579 (115th): Muhammad Ali Commemorative Coin Act |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr579 |website=Govtrack |access-date=May 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://coinweek.com/modern-coins/boxing-legend-muhammad-ali-commemorative-coin-bill-introduced/ |title=Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali Commemorative Coin Bill Introduced |website=CoinWeek |last=Walker |first=Hubert |date=January 23, 2017 |access-date=February 2, 2020}}</ref>

===20th-century superlatives===
By the end of the 20th century, Ali had made it onto several [[list of superlatives|superlatives lists]] or otherwise was mentioned in superlative terms covering the century or a large portion thereof.

Ali was ranked at or near the top of most lists of the 20th century's greatest boxers.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 20, 2012 |title=Muhammad Ali |work=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/topics/_/page/muhammad-ali |access-date=January 29, 2012}}</ref><ref name="ring">{{cite web |last=Donelson |first=Tom |date=July 14, 2008 |title=Was Ali the Greatest Heavyweight? |url=http://www.boxinginsider.com/columns/was-ali-the-greatest-heavyweight/ |access-date=September 4, 2016 |publisher=Boxinginsider.com}}</ref><ref name="ap" /> He was crowned [[Sports Illustrated#Sportsman of the Century|Sportsman of the Century]] by ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/cover/news/1999/12/02/awards |work=CNN|title=Sports Illustrated honors world's greatest athletes |date=December 3, 1999 |access-date=June 5, 2016 |archive-date=August 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819000437/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/cover/news/1999/12/02/awards/ }}</ref> Named [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year#Sports Personality of the Century Award|BBC's Sports Personality of the Century]], he received more votes than the other five candidates combined.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/561352.stm |title=Ali crowned Sportsman of Century |date=December 13, 1999 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=June 6, 2016}}</ref><ref name="ring"/> The Associated Press ranked him as the second best boxer and best heavyweight of the 20th century.<ref name="ap">{{cite web |title=AP Fighters of the Century list |url=http://static.espn.go.com/boxing/news/1999/1208/221260.html |access-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref>  He was named Athlete of the Century by ''[[USA Today]]'', and ranked as the third [[SportsCentury#SportsCentury: SportsCentury: Top 50 American Athletes of the 20th Century (Original series)|greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by ESPN ''SportsCentury'']]. Ali was named "Kentucky Athlete of the Century" by the [[Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame]] in ceremonies at the [[Galt House|Galt House East]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Marc J. |last=Spears |title=Ali: The Greatest of 20th century; Show stops when the champ arrives for awards dinner |url=https://courier-journal.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal/170982349/ |newspaper=The Courier-Journal |date=September 14, 1999 |url-access=|pages= C1, [https://courier-journal.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal/170982360/ C6] }}</ref>

Ali was named one of the 100 most influential Americans of the 20th century by [[Life magazine]] in 1990. In 1993, the Associated Press reported that Ali was tied with [[Babe Ruth]] as the most recognized athlete, out of over 800 dead or living athletes, in America. The study found that over 97% of Americans over 12 years of age identified both Ali and Ruth.<ref>Wilstein, Steve, Associated Press, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1957&dat=19930517&id=XZYxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RuEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1249,4781703 "Retton, Hammill most popular American athletes in United States: poll"]; ''The Daily Gazette'', May 17, 1993.</ref> In 1999, he was one of three athletes, alongside [[Pelé]] and [[Jackie Robinson]], named in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's list of the [[Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century|100 Most Important People of the 20th Century]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ali – Time 100 People of the Century |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,26473,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010211124411/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,26473,00.html |archive-date=February 11, 2001 |newspaper=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |first=Joshua |last=Quittner |date=June 14, 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=TIME 100 Persons of The Century |url=https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,26473,00.html |access-date=September 10, 2023 |magazine=Time |archive-date=December 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220085203/https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,26473,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>