There's no better way to reflect on what he meant to boxing, and The Ring, over the years than in our archives.

In 1964 alone, Ali (then Cassius Clay) appeared on the cover of The Ring five times: February, March, April, May, October.

In '66, Ali featured on six covers: January, February, April, June, August, December.

After his exile from the ring for refusing induction into military service for Vietnam, Ali's return dominated The Ring covers in 1971. His image and/or name appears on nine of the 12 issues that year.

Of course, there's the epic report from Zaire, where Ali upset George Foreman by eighth-round KO in October 1974.

And The Thrilla In Manila, the last time Ali was ever truly great in the ring before he lingered, faded and eventually whittled away. That same year, 1975, Ali adorned the cover of The Ring in 10 of 12 issues.

Amazing. It's a feat that will never be replicated. A true original.