Muhammad Ali - 1942 - 2016

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has died at the age of 74, a spokesman for his family has confirmed.

The three-time world heavyweight champion had suffered from Parkinson's disease since 1984 - three years after he retired from the sport.

In the days before his death, Ali had been admitted to hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, suffering from respiratory issues.

Reports had suggested his breathing problems had been complicated by his neurological disorder, which had long impaired his speech.

A statement from spokesman Bob Gunnell said: "Muhammad Ali's funeral will take place in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.


"The Ali family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support and asks for privacy at this time.

Born in January 1942 as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, a name shared with a 19th century slavery abolitionist, the boxer changed his name to Muhammad Ali after his conversion to Islam.

Although he had shied away from public life in recent years, Ali spoke out against Donald Trump's calls for Muslims to be banned from entering the United States.

Back in December, he urged people to "stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda", adding: "True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so called Islamic Jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion."

One of the boxing legend's final public appearances was in April, when he attended a Celebrity Fight Night in April to benefit a Parkinson's treatment facility in his name.

Ali is survived by his fourth wife Lonnie, along with his nine children.