This landmark birthday is hard to believe as I still picture Ali in his prime: handsome, fast moving, fast talking and quick witted. We tend to forget that his once powerful voice has now been reduced to a croaky whisper and he shuffles slowly rather than glides speedily these days. It is no secret that all those years in the ring have left their mark on this proud warrior.

Since the late 1970s when his boxing career was nearly over there were already signs that he was suffering with that terrible affliction Parkinson’s syndrome. By 1984 it was finally confirmed that the man who dazzled the world with his skills and prowess in the ring was like the rest of us, a mere mortal. One who was now suffering with a debilitating and irreversible condition.

I will not linger on this dark subject as Ali’s birthday should be cause for celebration rather than sad reflection on what might have been. In the years since his career ended and his health problems began he has remained upbeat and philosophical and continues to keep a hectic schedule travelling the world and managing to do what he does best: meeting and mesmerising people. Journalists, writers and fans all attest that although his motor functions are not the same the man’s presence is still phenomenal.

The image of him lighting the flame to start the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta will forever be etched on my memory. It was clear to the world that Ali was a sick man, but the outpouring of love and goodwill to him in the aftermath of that occasion is a measure of how much he has impacted on not just the sporting world but the world at large.

The man’s appeal transcends sport and he can count many non-boxing followers among his fans. Everyone knew who the world champion was when Ali held the crown. His epic struggles against the likes of Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and George Foreman continue to be spoken of in awed tones. His fights are constantly shown on television on some channel somewhere around the world and he has been the subject of countless books and articles over the years.

Ali’s appeal shows no sign of waning as fathers tell their sons and daughters about him and he is always at the centre of the debate: Who was the best boxer?

He fought at a time of great civil unrest in America and throughout the world at a time when there was still a virtual state of Apartheid in parts of America. He was champion during the Vietnam War and famously was stripped of his belts when speaking out against the war and refusing to be inducted into the United States army. He was already the darling of the liberal media and students and eventually gained the respect of societies more conservative elements. He was and is someone who stands by his principles.

When he regained the world heavyweight crown against the formidable George Foreman in, of all places, Zaire in Africa in October 1974 it was like something out of a fairytale. The exiled former champion had come back and at thirty two defeated a much younger, stronger foe by a surprising and electrifying knock out. Ali did drama on a huge scale!

His rivalry with another ring great: ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier culminating in the brutal ‘Thrilla in Manila’ still has experts and casual fans talking in wonderment at just how far these two great athletes managed to push each other.

Sadly Frazier passed away last year and it seemed that despite Ali apologising for some of his more unpleasant and uncharacteristic remarks they never truly reconciled and properly buried the hatchet. Ali sung Frazier’s praises repeatedly in the immediate aftermath of their third epic clash and in the years that followed but the deep psychological scars he inflicted on the proud Philadelphian icon never quite healed.

Ultimately Ali’s world title defences became more like ‘events’ rather than sporting contests where the rich and famous and chic could pose at ringside mixing with all the seedier elements that frequented boxing matches. His fights were also beamed to cinemas and living rooms across the globe making him a household name.

Sadly like many before him and since, Ali went on for far too long. In the sixties he was renowned for his speed of hand and foot and his elusiveness. You just could not hit the man, with perhaps the exception of Britain’s Henry Cooper who became a national institution when he managed to floor Ali for a brief count in 1963, a fight where Ali eventually won by a cuts stoppage in the fifth round. The two became friends and would always reunite whenever Ali paid a visit to Britain.

Unfortunately during his return to boxing in the 1970s after more than three years out of the ring Ali discovered that he could take a punch...this version of Ali was more slower and flat-footed, spending considerable amounts of time leaning on the ropes allowing sparring partners and opponents to whale away on him, the so called ‘rope-a-dope.’ But this would all eventually take its toll.

Cooper, like Frazier also sadly passed away last year as did another Ali opponent, Ron Lyle (who lost to Ali in 1975 during his second reign as world champion).

This makes Ali’s birthday all the more significant and special. So many people some say a golden era in boxing and sport in general: the 1960s and 1970s are now leaving us. Ali should be read about and his fights watched wherever they can be found (I recommend perusing YouTube). The best tribute any fan old or young can pay to him is to remember him and understand just why he is such a significant figure and a living icon from the 20th Century.

This week sees plenty of programmes dedicated to him on British television and I recommend viewing the following:

On Monday on the eve of his birthday is ‘When Ali Came to Britain’ on ITV1 at 10.35pm. This documentary features contributions from some of the people Ali encountered during his many visits to the UK.

On Tuesday, Ali’s birthday, is a special programme on BBC4 at 10pm which sees David Frost (who was present for Ali v Foreman) charting the life and career of ‘the world’s greatest sportsman’ through a series of interviews and even visits Ali at his Michigan ranch.

Finally starting on Tuesday at 10.05pm on ITV4 a five part series ‘Ali: Still The Greatest’ sees Desmond Lynam and Barry McGuigan look back at some of Ali’s greatest fights.

So, sit back and enjoy regardless of age or gender. I promise you Ali will not disappoint. Watch these shows and learn just why he has continued to captivate and thrill us for the last half a century. Happy Birthday Champ!