Muhammad Ali’s life was a masterpiece of our time

The world said a final goodbye to Muhammad Ali today as 'The Greatest' was laid to rest in his native Kentucky. To mark the occasion we have decided to highlight an editorial written earlier this week by our chief leader writer, Jack Power, which we are sure you will agree is a fitting tribute to the man.  

IF beauty without purpose is an incomplete, rattling thing, then Muhammad Ali’s wonderful life showed how an irresistible force can be created when great beauty and unwavering purpose align.

That beauty was first undeniable in the ring, sports’ most demanding, coldly unforgiving arena. Over the half-century and more since he had won Olympic gold in Rome, in 1960, Ali had lived a life built on unequalled charisma, an unflinching social conscience, a deep, confident spirituality, and a determination to be a positive agent for change.