I looked at this photo and honestly didn't realize it was Ali. I last saw
him about 5 years ago. He's certainly changed.

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2012/01/17/Muhammad_Ali_birthday_AP120114152586_620x350.jpg

From CBS Sports (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57359952/muhammad-ali-still-the-greatest-at-70/?tag=nl.e875)
(AP) "Rumble, young man, rumble," used to be his battle cry.
But Muhammad Ali is an old man now, ravaged by his years in the ring
and his decades of braving Parkinson's disease. The voice that used
to bellow that he was "The Greatest" is largely muted now, save for
those times in the mornings when he is able to whisper his thoughts.

The face, though, is still that of the most recognizable man on earth.
Maybe not as finely chiseled as it was in his prime, but close enough.

"It's not like he doesn't look like himself," said his oldest daughter,
Maryum "May May" Ali. "It's the same face, the Parkinson's hasn't
affected that."'

Ali turns 70 on Tuesday, giving Baby Boomers who grew up with him
one more reason to reflect on their own advancing years.

I remember most of Ali's big fights... he was and still is the greatest.

The Ali - Frazier rivalry was one of the best in any sport ever.

The Ali - Frazier rivalry was one of the best in any sport ever.
I listened to the first fight on the radio.

Met Ali at Miami Beach in March, 1977 at the Fountainbleu Hotel. He was so nice and friendly. Invited my friend and me to eat breakfast with him one morning at the Chez Bon Bon cafe in the hotel. The conference I was attending lasted about 5 days and he was all over the place the whole time, never failed to acknowledge those he had met. It was especially heart warming to see him with kids. I got his autograph but never got a photo with him.

He certainly mellowed out as he got older but no one would have described him in those terms when he was in his prime. He may have been putting on an act but he was highly controversial and far from universally loved.