New Delhi, June 4
Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was joined by several other sporting greats in paying tributes to boxing legend Muhammed Ali, who breathed his last after a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease in Arizona.
Ali, 74, who had been hospitalised in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this week, passed away following respiratory problems.
One of the greatest boxers in history -- regarded as the greatest by many -- Ali was the first man to win the world heavyweight title three times. Known for his staunch beliefs, Ali was an outspoken advocate of civil rights for black people in America and his opposition to what he perceived to be the white dominated establishment which was one of the reasons that prompted him to convert to Islam in 1959.
In 1967, he famously refused to fight in Vietnam, citing religious and moral reasons which saw him being suspended from boxing for four years -- at a time when he was at the peak of his boxing power.
Sporting celebrities across the globe took to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to pay their tributes to the legendary boxer.
"God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli #TheGreatest #RIP," Tyson tweeted.
Former World champion Lennox Lewis tweeted, "A giant among men, Ali displayed a greatness in talent, courage & conviction, that most of us will ever be able to truly comprehend. #RIPAli"
Recalling his playing days, former Olympic gold medallist and two-time world heavyweight champion George Foreman, who lost to Ali in the famous 'Rumble in the Jungle' in Zaire, said, "Ralph Ali, Frazier & Foreman we were 1 guy. A part of me slipped away, 'The greatest piece'."
Former world champion boxer Manny Pacquiao tweeted, "Please keep @MuhammadAli in your thoughts and prayers. With God, all things are possible."
Pacquiao's nemessis Floyd Mayweather took to Instagram to pour his heart out, "Today my heart goes out to a pioneer, a true legend, and a hero by all means! Your charisma, your charm and above all, your class are all of the elements that will be greatly missed by myself and the world."
"You are someone that inspired me greatly throughout my boxing journey and words can not express how great you were as a person! Thank you for everything you've done for Black America, in the the world of sports & entertainment and for the legacy you leave behind! My sincerest condolences to the Ali family!" he added.
Calling Ali a true Olympian, International Olympic Council (IOC) president Thomas Bach said, "He was an athlete who touched the hearts of people across the globe, an athlete who was engaged beyond sport, an athlete who had the courage to give hope to so many suffering illness by lighting the Olympic cauldron and not hiding his own affliction. He was an athlete who fought for peace and tolerance -- he was a true Olympian."
German football legend Franz Beckenbauer termed Ali as the greatest of all in his message, "Very sad day: the GREATEST has gone."
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar also took to Twitter to pay his last respects to the legendary boxer.
"My hero since childhood. I always had a wish to meet you some day but now it will never happen. RIP "The Greatest"," Sachin wrote.
Legendary Indian tennis player Leander Paes, who on Friday clinched the French Open mixed doubles with Swiss great Martina Hingis, called Ali the greatest athlete of all time.
"To the GREATEST OF ALL TIME...Thanks for giving every kid a Chance to DREAM...I BELIEVE CAUSE OF YOU... #RIPAli," Paes tweeted.
Legendary American tennis player Martina Navratilova called Ali a "hero" in her tweet, "RIP Muhammad Ali...we will miss your spirit and humanity. You were shunned,excoriated and jailed for the same reason that made you a hero..."
Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Singh, who turned professional last year, tweeted, "@MuhammadAli sir u always be a legend ???? #RIP we always miss u."
Five time World chess Champion Viswanathan Anand also joined the list of celebrities in paying tribute to Ali.
"Your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see.. Maybe that's why chess is boxing of the mind. Float like a butterfly sting like a bee would never be the same. R.I.P. The great #MuhammadAli," Anand said.
Legendary sprinter and multiple Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson tweeted, "He was my hero and gracious enough to write the foreword for my 1st book Slaying The Dragon. The best! #RIPChamp."
Italy and Juventus football legend Alessandro del Piero said, "Few have passed from the legend of sport to the story of mankind. Thank you ?#?MuhammadAli? eternal example."
Ali retired from boxing in 1981 and was soon after diagnosed with signs of sluggishness and neurological damage. He thereafter received treatment for Parkinson's disease.
Married four times, Ali is survived by seven daughters and two sons. His funeral will take place in his hometown of Louisville.
Muhammad Ali an exemplary sportspersonn, inspiration: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday condoled death of American heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali, describing him as exemplary sportsperson.
"RIP Muhammad Ali. You were an exemplary sportsperson and source of inspiration who demonstrated the power of human spirit and determination," said Modi, who was in Afghanistan in the first leg of his five nation visit, in a tweet.
Ali died at the age of 74 after a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali no more
Los Angeles, June 4 (IANS) Legendary former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, who had been hospitalised following respiratory problems, has passed away, a family spokesman said.
"After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," family spokesman Bob Gunnell said in a statement on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported.
Ali, known as Cassius Clay before he converted to Islam, began boxing training at the age of 12 years.
He won the World heavyweight championship at the age of 22 in 1964. He was stripped of his title in 1967 after he cited his religious beliefs and rufused to be conscripted in the US Army due to his opposition to the Vietnam war. He again won the title again in 1974 and 1978.
Ali had been hospitalized in Phoenix, Arizona this week due to respiratory problems, although his condition was said to be stable.
Paradise Valley Police Department in Arizona told ABC network an emergency medical call was made from Ali's address in Phoenix on Thursday, reports Efe.
The Phoenix Fire Department also confirmed responding to a call on the same day to assist a 74-year-old man with respiratory issues.
One of the greatest boxers in the history, Ali retired in 1981 and soon found signs of sluggishness and neurological damage. He thereafter received treatment for Parkinson's disease.
The legendary boxer had been hospitalized several times in recent years, including in early 2015 with a severe urinary infection that was initially diagnosed as pneumonia.
Ali appeared weaker with every public appearance he made, the last being on April 9 when he was seen wearing sunglasses at the annual Celebrity Fight Night gala in Phoenix to raise funds for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
However the sporting icon led a relatively peaceful life with his fourth wife Lonnie, who he married in 1986.
Ali's death touches more than just the boxing world as he was one of the most recognised people in the world for his actions both in and out of the ring.
His conversion to Islam, name changes and opposition to the Vietnam War polarised the country.
However, he later became a symbol of peace with his messages on freedom, peace and equality.
"A true great has left us. Muhammad Ali transformed this country and impacted the world with his spirit," said Bob Arum, his longtime boxing promoter.
