Boxing Icon Muhammad Ali to Be Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024

Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali will be posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024 next month in Philadelphia.

WWE announced the honor Monday, meaning Ali will join several past celebrity inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame, include all-time MLB hits leader Pete Rose, heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson and actor Mr. T, among others.

Ali, who died in 2016 at the age of 74, is regarded by many to be the greatest boxer of all time, and he also dipped his toe in the professional wrestling waters on a few occasions.

In terms of wrestling, Ali's most notable involvement came back in 1985 when he served as a special guest referee for the main event of the inaugural WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Ali officiated from outside the ring and looked on as Hulk Hogan and Mr. T defeated "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff.

Before that, Ali had his only official match at Budokan Hall in Tokyo in 1976, fighting Japanese wrestling legend Antonio Inoki to a draw in what was essentially a hybrid wrestling-boxing exhibition.

In preparation for the Inoki match, Ali had a confrontation with WWE Hall of Famer Gorilla Monsoon following one of Monsoon's matches in June 1976. The tussle occurred at the Philadelphia Arena, making the City of Brotherly Love a fitting location for Ali's Hall of Fame induction.

Ali's last major pro wrestling-related appearance came in 1995 at WCW's Collision in Korea tour of North Korea when he was recognized as a guest of honor.

The former Cassius Clay is best remembered for his excellence in the boxing ring, as he went 56-5 with 37 wins by way of knockout during a professional career that spanned from 1960 to 1981.

Ali was a multi-time world champion in his career, holding the WBC, WBA, The Ring, NABF and NYSAC heavyweight titles. He also won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Olympics in Rome.

Above all else, Ali will always be recognized as a cultural icon, making him the perfect candidate to be chosen as a member of the WWE Hall of Fame's Celebrity Wing.

Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below.