The day Muhammad Ali met the Beatles

It's hard to imagine now: barely having a clue who the Beatles were, or the man who would become Muhammad Ali.

But that's how things were when Robert Lipsyte found himself face-to-face with these future legends more than 50 years ago, through a chance of publicity matchmaking.

Muhammad Ali: 11 things you may not have known about The Champ

He was one of the most influential sports figures of all time, the Heavyweight Champion of the world three times.  Muhammad Ali died in an Arizona hospital Friday. Here’s a look at 11 things you may not have known about the man called, “The Greatest of All Time.”

1. Muhammad Ali, whose given name was Cassius Clay, was named for a 19th-century farmer and abolitionist named Cassius Marcellus Clay.

Muhammad Ali, who riveted the world as 'The Greatest,' dies

He was fast of fist and foot — lip, too — a heavyweight champion who promised to shock the world and did. He floated. He stung. Mostly he thrilled, even after the punches had taken their toll and his voice barely rose above a whisper.

He was The Greatest.

Muhammad Ali died Friday at age 74, according to a statement from the family. He was hospitalized in the Phoenix area with respiratory problems earlier this week, and his children had flown in from around the country.