Muhammad Ali was an American Olympic and professional boxer and activist. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century. From early in his career, Ali was known as an inspiring, controversial and polarizing figure both inside and outside the ring. Boxing was just one of the amazing facets of Muhammad Ali – the man. His story, told in and outside of the ring, is unparalleled in modern celebrity. I never liked professional boxing until I saw "the champ." I loved his "trash talk." He made it all exciting. He had 61 professional fights with 37 knockouts, 19 unanimous decisions and only 5 losses (see Professional Boxing Career). He truly was "the champ."