He was a an inspiration not only for his great effort and ability, but also with his stance and bravery.
I was practicing kick box in highschool and he was one of my inspirations. Actually, he is an important figure for many people who got involved with boxing. He does not know us, but he touched millions of lives. He may be gone but his ideals and impact will live on hearts and minds of sportsmen, activists and survivors. Fly in peace.
What a sad sad morning. I wasn't even born when he fought but yet at the age of 6, in a remote country with no Internet or phone I knew who he was. The whole world knows who he is. He inspired thousands who got bullied to stand up for themselves and learn to fight.
My father is in his mid fifties, he told me when he was 10 they were staying up night to watch his matches at like 3 o'clock because of timeline diffferences. At early 70ies, in literally other end of the World in somewhere it was not common to have TVs in every hosuehold he was an idol who had been followed by kids who can just choose to sleep if they wanted.
The man was something else. Like beyond a legend.