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.

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

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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.

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Muhammad Ali"s Body Flown To Louisville