Muhammad Ali passed away two years ago today (June 3), but he left behind a legacy unmatched by any other athlete.

From his iconic boxing career to his activist work, no one comes close to “The Greatest.”

In honor of his life, we look back at these classic images.

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock blogger that loves the smell of old vinyl in the morning.

• Cassius Clay

  Share

  7th August 1966: American boxer Muhammad Ali, formerly Cassius Clay, leaves the Cumberland Hotel for the USA after defeating Brian London. (Photo by Clive Limpkin/Express/Getty Images)

• Muhammad Ali

  Share

  American boxer and activist Muhammad Ali (1942 - 2016) with his daughter Hana at Heathrow Airport, London, UK, 14th July 1977. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

• Ali’s Girls

  Share

  American heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali (1942 - 2016) takes a nap while babysitting two of his daughters by wife Veronica Porche, 9 month old Laila (left) and 2 year old Hana (right) at Grosvenor House, London, UK, 19th December 1978. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
• Muhammad Ali

  Share

  American boxer Muhammad Ali (1942 - 2016) reading the Sunday Express newspaper in his hotel room, London, UK, 22nd May 1966. The headline 'Cooper Tragedy' refers to Ali's victory over Henry Cooper at the Arsenal Stadium in London the day before. The front page also mentions the death of Lady Dorothy Macmillan, the wife of former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. (Photo by Daily Express/Getty Images)

• Muhammad Ali

  Share

  Portrait of American boxer Cassius Clay (who changed his name to Muhammad Ali in 1964) as he raises his fists above his head and growls fiercely, early 1960s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

• Muhammad Ali

  Share

  Heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali peers out from behind a pillar brandishing an ivory-inlaid walking stick, 29th November 1974. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
• Clay Predicts Five

  Share

  27th May 1963: Supremely confident American boxer Cassius Clay holds up five fingers in a prediction of how many rounds it will take him to knock out British boxer Henry Cooper. (Photo by Kent Gavin/Keystone/Getty Images)

• Cassius Clay

  Share

  19th June 1963: Cassius Clay sitting on luggage gesturing. He is in England to fight Henry Cooper at Wembley which he won in the fifth round. (Photo by William Vanderson/Fox Photos/Getty Images)

• Clay And The Beatles

  Share

  February 1964: American heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay poses in the ring in mock victory over British pop group The Beatles, meeting the press in New York during an American tour. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
• Boxing Beatles

  Share

  22nd February 1964: British pop group The Beatles, from left to right; Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), George Harrison (1943 - 2001) and Paul McCartney; in the ring with champion American boxer Cassius Clay, whilst in Miami. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

• Ali And Wife

  Share

  circa 1978: Muhammad Ali and his wife Veronica at Heathrow Airport. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)

• Ali’s Girls

  Share

  19th December 1978: Heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali with his daughters Laila (9 months) and Hanna (2 years 5 months) at Grosvenor House. (Photo by Frank Tewkesbury/Evening Standard/Getty Images)
• Olympics Opn Cer

  Share

  19 Jul 1996: Muhammad Ali holds the torch before lighting the Olympic Flame during the Opening Ceremony of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Mandatory Credit: Michael Cooper /

Have The Bounce 105.1 Insider Buzz Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Find out what's happening in the Motor City, stay up to date on the music & entertainment news, and exclusive chances to win.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.