Muhammad Ali"s Body Flown To Louisville

The family of Muhammad Ali accompanied his body back to his hometown of Louisville on Sunday, ahead of Friday’s funeral.

The former world heavyweight boxing champion died in Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday at the age of 74 following health problems complicated by a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Following Thursday’s private family funeral, Ali’s coffin will be transported through the streets of Louisville on Friday, before a private burial and public memorial service.

Flowers and boxing gloves are some of the items left in Louisville as a mark of respect for Muhammad Ali

After Ali’s body arrived in Kentucky, the Mayor of Louisville Greg Fischer tweeted: “Ali is now home.”

A private plane, carrying the casket as well as Ali’s relatives, landed in Louisville on Sunday afternoon. The casket was loaded into a hearse and taken to a local funeral home, where dozens of fans were waiting to show their respect.

A champion of champions

Why we’ll never see another Muhammad Ali

Also on Sunday, interfaith services were held at Louisville’s Islamic Center in Ali’s honour.

Muhammad Ali’s body arrives back in his hometown

Residents have left flowers, balloons and tributes at Ali’s childhood home and Fischer said: “The champ was a supernatural figure who crossed all kinds of boundaries, from athletics to arts, to humanitarian activities, from black to white, from Christians to Islam, and he belongs to the world.

“There will be people coming from all over.”

Visitors line up to visit and pay respects outside Muhammad Ali’s childhood home

More details about the ceremonies will be revealed at a press conference in Louisville on Monday.

SKYSPORTS

Muhammad Ali"s Body Flown To Louisville

Muhammad Ali Died Of Septic Shock

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali died of “septic shock due to unspecified natural causes”, his family has said.

The three-time world heavyweight champion – one of the world’s greatest sporting figures – died on Friday night at a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

The 74-year-old had been suffering from a respiratory illness, a condition that was complicated by Parkinson’s disease.

A public funeral will be held for the boxer on Friday in his hometown of Louisville in Kentucky.

“He was a citizen of the world and would want people from all walks of life to be able to attend his funeral,” said the family spokesman, Bob Gunnell.

Former US President Bill Clinton is among those who will give a eulogy at the service, and was one of many prominent global figures who paid tribute to Ali on Saturday, saying he lived a life “full of religious and political convictions that led him to make tough choices and live with the consequences”.

The legendary Brazilian footballer, Pele, said the sporting universe had suffered a huge loss.

“Muhammad Ali shook up the world. And the world is better for it,” said US President Barack Obama.

Muhammad Ali

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay, 17 January 1942

61 fights

over a professional career lasting 21 years

56 wins

including 37 knockouts

• 3 times crowned World Heavyweight Champion


• 1 Light-heavyweight Olympic gold medal


• 31 straight wins before being beaten by Joe Frazier

Ali was as much a campaigner for black equality as he was a champion in the ring, where he won 56 of his 61 fights.

Asked how he would like to be remembered, he once said: “As a man who never sold out his people. But if that’s too much, then just a good boxer.

“I won’t even mind if you don’t mention how pretty I was.”

Septic shock

• Life-threatening condition when blood pressure drops to dangerously low level after infection


• People with weakened immune system are more prone to developing septic shock


• Symptoms include slurred speech, confusion, diarrhoea, vomiting, shivering, muscle pain


• Quick response is key to successful treatment

Noted for his fast talk and bold fight predictions as much as his skills inside the ring, he retired in 1981 having won 56 of his 61 fights – 37 by knockout – and was later crowned “Sports Personality of the Century” by the BBC.

BBC

Muhammad Ali Died Of Septic Shock