Muhammad Ali Voted 'Greatest Sportsman Ever'

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Retired American boxing legend Muhammad Ali has been voted as The Greatest Sportsman Ever.

The polling was carried out by Internet market research company www.onepoll.com on August 19.

"Ali is a worthy winner. He is a true legend, loved by everyone who knows anything about sport," the Daily Star quoted John Sewell, from the company, as saying.

"His charm, wit and sheer talent wowed sports fans for years," Sewell added.

The 66-year-old boxing champ had won the Olympic gold in 1960 and taken the world heavyweight title in 1964.

Ali, who had been named Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr on his birth, is a three times world champion boxer, who beat Olympic rowing gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave to claim the title in a poll of sports fans.

Redgrave, 46, is the only British rower to win gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000.

England and LA Galaxy star David Beckham, 33, was third, followed by Brazil legend Pele, 67, in fourth and former F1 ace Michael Schumacher, 39, in fifth.

The top five 'Greatest Sportsman Ever' are:

1 Muhammad Ali
2 Steve Redgrave
3 David Beckham
4 Pele
5 Michael Schumacher.