Muhammad Ali, three-time heavyweight champion of the world and arguably the most famous sportsman on the planet, has passed away at the age of 74.
Ali battled Parkinson’s disease for 32 years and earlier this week was admitted to a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona for a respiratory illness.
It was confirmed on Friday night that the legendary boxer had been placed on a life support machine, and his family flew in to be at his bedside as they said goodbye.
To a world of fans Ali was rightly nicknamed ‘The Greatest’. Among his near-endless list of memorable fights was the vanquishing of Sonny Liston, the Thrilla in Manilla against Joe Frazier, and 1974’s Rumble in the Jungle, where he beat George Foreman in eight rounds to win back the title.
It is virtually impossible to quantify the contribution Ali made to boxing, and some of the sport’s biggest names past and present have been paying tribute to the champion.
God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli #TheGreatest #RIP pic.twitter.com/jhXyqOuabi
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) June 4, 2016
It's been said it was Rope a dope, Ali beat me with no his beauty that beat me. Most beauty I've know loved him pic.twitter.com/G64WX3eyZC
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) June 4, 2016
Until Ali no one said "I'm beautiful" he was royalty, yet common man was his pal. That is beauty. Greatest kind pic.twitter.com/uX7htKHrGc
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) June 4, 2016
RIP. The Greatest Of All Time. #MuhammedAli pic.twitter.com/m3zKroLHK7
— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) June 4, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGOTCgFx3Sm/?taken-by=floydmayweather
.@mannypacquiao has also given his reaction to Muhammad Ali's death. More here: https://t.co/4h1KQZRz3w #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/JUmf2UlSGw
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 4, 2016
Rip the greatest of all times in many different ways. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) June 4, 2016
R.I.P @MuhammadAli THE GREATEST.x pic.twitter.com/59DGG7bl6k
— Ricky Hatton MBE (@HitmanHatton) June 4, 2016
My heart is deeply saddened yet both appreciative and relieved that the greatest is now resting in the greatest place.
— Roy Jones Jr. (@RealRoyJonesJr) June 4, 2016
But it’s not just boxers who felt inspired in their sport by Ali…
Muhammad Ali represents and symbolises greatness for all the world over. His name and story will live on forever. RIP!
— Cathy Freeman (@CathyFreeman) June 4, 2016
"The man who has no imagination has no wings." #RIP #greatestever pic.twitter.com/99I15Rg1O4
— George North (@George_North) June 4, 2016
