Famed boxer Muhammad Ali has `` vastly improved '' after being hospitalized over the weekend with a mild case of pneumonia , his spokesman Bob Gunnell said . `` Ali 's team of doctors hopes to discharge him soon , '' said Gunnell . Ali , 72 , was admitted to an undisclosed hospital on Saturday . `` The Ali family continues to request privacy and appreciates all of the prayers and well wishes , '' read a statement sent from Gunnell . Ali was born Cassius Clay and won an Olympic gold medal as a light-heavyweight at 18 . In 1964 , he became world heavyweight champion in an upset victory against then-champion Sonny Liston , according to Ali 's official website . Shortly thereafter , he changed his name to Muhammad Ali to reflect his conversion to Islam . The boxer was also known for his protest against the Vietnam War and refusal to be drafted into service out of religious conviction . He retired from boxing in 1981 and announced his diagnosis with Parkinson 's disease three years later .
Former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali has died . The illness was diagnosed quickly , Ali 's spokesman says . He is expected to be out of the hospital soon , the spokesman says . Ali became heavyweight world champion for the first time in 1964 .