17 January 2012 Last updated at 00:55

In pictures: Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali jumping up on a bridge over the Chicago River. 1966

Muhammad Ali, the former undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion has turned 70 years of age.

Muhammad Ali showing off his right fist, Chicago 1966.

In the late 1960s, Magnum photographer Thomas Hoepker captured some intimate moments of the charismatic boxing legend.

Muhammad Ali walks underneath elevated trains, Chicago, 1966

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky he changed his name to Muhammad Ali in 1964.

Muhammad ALI gets a shave in a barbershop in Southside Chicago, 1966

His legendary speed in the ring helped turn him into one of the most famous faces on the planet.

Muhammad Ali admiring himself in a car mirror, Chicago, 1966

Apart from his achievements in the ring Ali has also come to be seen as one of the iconic figures of the 20th century for the way he lived his life away from boxing.

Muhammad Ali in a boxing outfit posing for studio photographer, Chicago, 1966.

Ali won the World Heavyweight Championship three times, and earned respect around the world both for his unique talent and for his stand against racial oppression and the Vietnam War - he was stripped of his title and banned from boxing for refusing to join the United States Army.

Muhammad Ali in front of a stereo, 1966.

He received an honorary Olympic gold in 1996. Ali said he'd thrown his own in the Ohio River in disgust at racism.

Muhammad Ali training at Chris Dundee's Fifth Street Gym in Miami Beach, 1970.

In later years Ali has been affected by Parkinson's disease, which has been attributed to repeated blows to the head during his boxing career.

Muhammad Ali during training in Chris Dundee's gym in Miami Beach. 1970

Ali continues to raise money for the charities he supports including his cultural centre in his home town of Louisville, Kentucky.

In Pictures

In pictures: Muhammad Ali

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