The People's Champ: Humanitarian Honors of Muhammad Ali

Recognition given to the boxer for work outside the ring.

The People's Champ - Besides being one of the greatest heavyweight boxers in the sports history, Muhammad Ali was also vocal outside the ring against social injustices. BET.com takes a look at the honors received by Muhammad Ali for his humanitarian efforts. The United Nations designated Ali a “Messenger of Peace” and “Goodwill Ambassador” in 1998. He traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2002 for a three-day trip in which he met with the country's leaders of the World Food Programme, UN Children’s Fund and President Hamid Karzai. He also visited a school and boxing club.   (Photo: Kent Gavin/Keystone/Getty Images)

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The People's Champ - Besides being one of the greatest heavyweight boxers in the sports history, Muhammad Ali was also vocal outside the ring against social injustices. BET.com takes a look at the honors received by Muhammad Ali for his humanitarian efforts. The United Nations designated Ali a “Messenger of Peace” and “Goodwill Ambassador” in 1998. He traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2002 for a three-day trip in which he met with the country's leaders of the World Food Programme, UN Children’s Fund and President Hamid Karzai. He also visited a school and boxing club. (Photo: Kent Gavin/Keystone/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo by Kent Gavin/Keystone/Getty Images

Campaign Against Stun Guns - In 1999, Muhammad Ali joined Amnesty International in their campaign to end the use of stun belts on prisoners in the U.S. The champion was then honored by the human rights organization with a “Lifetime Achievement Award.” (Photo: Norman Quicke/Express/Getty Images)

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Campaign Against Stun Guns - In 1999, Muhammad Ali joined Amnesty International in their campaign to end the use of stun belts on prisoners in the U.S. The champion was then honored by the human rights organization with a “Lifetime Achievement Award.” (Photo: Norman Quicke/Express/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo by Norman Quicke/Express/Getty Images

Feeding the World - One of Ali’s biggest fights is against hunger, and he has traveled across the world, delivering millions of meals to those suffering from hunger to raise awareness of the issue. “There’s hunger in the world, and that bothers me. Hunger isn’t just being hungry. It means you feel sick. It means you can’t work. It means you can’t do well in school, because you’re too weak to concentrate,” he said in the book Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times (1992). (Photo: Keystone/Getty Images)

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Feeding the World - One of Ali’s biggest fights is against hunger, and he has traveled across the world, delivering millions of meals to those suffering from hunger to raise awareness of the issue. “There’s hunger in the world, and that bothers me. Hunger isn’t just being hungry. It means you feel sick. It means you can’t work. It means you can’t do well in school, because you’re too weak to concentrate,” he said in the book Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times (1992). (Photo: Keystone/Getty Images)

Presidential Distinction - Ali received the highest honor given to a U.S. civilian, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2005 from President George W. Bush. Prior to this, he was given the Presidential Citizens Medal of Honor from President Clinton in 2001. Both awards honor individuals for their service to others (Photo: Central Press/Getty Images)

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Presidential Distinction - Ali received the highest honor given to a U.S. civilian, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2005 from President George W. Bush. Prior to this, he was given the Presidential Citizens Medal of Honor from President Clinton in 2001. Both awards honor individuals for their service to others (Photo: Central Press/Getty Images)

Otto Hahn Peace Medal - The German peace prize, known as the Otto Hahn peace medal, was awarded to Ali in 2005 for his "lifelong engagement in the American civil rights movement and the global cultural emancipation of Blacks, as well as his work as a U.N. Goodwill ambassador," the organization stated. (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Otto Hahn Peace Medal - The German peace prize, known as the Otto Hahn peace medal, was awarded to Ali in 2005 for his "lifelong engagement in the American civil rights movement and the global cultural emancipation of Blacks, as well as his work as a U.N. Goodwill ambassador," the organization stated. (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Acknowledged for Bridging Western and Muslim Worlds  - The Council of 100 Leaders of the World Economic Forum gave their first-ever C-100 award to Ali in 2006 in Davos, Switzerland. The honor is given to individuals who work to build understanding between the Muslim and Western worlds, according to their site. (Photo: Keystone/Getty Images)

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Acknowledged for Bridging Western and Muslim Worlds - The Council of 100 Leaders of the World Economic Forum gave their first-ever C-100 award to Ali in 2006 in Davos, Switzerland. The honor is given to individuals who work to build understanding between the Muslim and Western worlds, according to their site. (Photo: Keystone/Getty Images)

Lights the Olympic Cauldron at 1996 Games - During the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympic games, Ali had the honor of lighting the Olympic Cauldron. This was 12 years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The emotional moment showed the gold medalist standing strong in perseverance even while battling the disease.  (Photo: Michael Cooper / Getty Images)

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Lights the Olympic Cauldron at 1996 Games - During the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympic games, Ali had the honor of lighting the Olympic Cauldron. This was 12 years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The emotional moment showed the gold medalist standing strong in perseverance even while battling the disease. (Photo: Michael Cooper / Getty Images)

Liberty Medal Recipient - In 2012, Ali was recognized at the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal ceremony. “Ali embodies the spirit of the Liberty Medal by embracing the ideals of the Constitution – freedom, self-governance, equality and empowerment – and helping to spread them across the globe,” President Bill Clinton said. (Photo: Andrew Wong/Getty Images) 

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Liberty Medal Recipient - In 2012, Ali was recognized at the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal ceremony. “Ali embodies the spirit of the Liberty Medal by embracing the ideals of the Constitution – freedom, self-governance, equality and empowerment – and helping to spread them across the globe,” President Bill Clinton said. (Photo: Andrew Wong/Getty Images)

The Muhammad Ali Center - In an effort to give back to his birthplace, Louisville, Kentucky, the world champion opened the Muhammad Ali Center, an educational, cultural and communications hub that carries on his values. The center was established in November 2005 and continues to serve the community through various programs and initiatives. This includes the three-year-old Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards, which awards young and seasoned humanitarians for their work. The annual event benefits the center. (Photo: Michael Hickey/Getty Images for HBO)

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The Muhammad Ali Center - In an effort to give back to his birthplace, Louisville, Kentucky, the world champion opened the Muhammad Ali Center, an educational, cultural and communications hub that carries on his values. The center was established in November 2005 and continues to serve the community through various programs and initiatives. This includes the three-year-old Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards, which awards young and seasoned humanitarians for their work. The annual event benefits the center. (Photo: Michael Hickey/Getty Images for HBO)

Grawemeyer Spirit Award - Once considered a rebel to society, Ali is now seen in present-day society as an agent of change and organizations and institutions continue to show him gratitude for his work. On Sept. 17, the University of Louisville gave Ali some some hometown love by presenting him with their inaugural Grawemeyer Spirit Award.(Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night)

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Grawemeyer Spirit Award - Once considered a rebel to society, Ali is now seen in present-day society as an agent of change and organizations and institutions continue to show him gratitude for his work. On Sept. 17, the University of Louisville gave Ali some some hometown love by presenting him with their inaugural Grawemeyer Spirit Award.(Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night)