Muhammad Ali was perhaps one of the most famous people in the world, known for both his greatness in the ring and the unapologetic conviction he displayed for his religious freedom and principles. News 12 spoke with a local imam about how "The Greatest of All Time" impacted his life.

Imam Adam Adamu, of the Yonkers Islamic Center, grew up thousands of miles away in the West African nation of Ghana, but he says Ali had a major influence on his life. The boxing legend died late Friday after a three-decade battle with Parkinson's disease.

Adamu says what made Ali "The Greatest" was that even though he fought hard in the ring, he worked even harder outside for his dignity and the dignity of millions of blacks and Muslims around the world.

"He stood up at a time when Muslims...would be afraid to say some of the things he said," Adamu says.

The imam says that although Ali is now gone from this world, he believes the principles for which he fought - "justice, equality, respect, unity, togetherness" - will continue.