Those who can’t make it inside the arena can watch the funeral streamed live on the website for the Muhammad Ali Center.
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Ali, whose remarkable boxing career and civil rights activism made him one of the indelible figures of the 20th century, died last week at age 74 after a decades-long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
“It’s probably only a once-in a lifetime event for Louisville, plus myself”.
Smith will be joined in the task by Lennox Lewis, the former world heavyweight champion, along with six other lesser-known friends and family of Ali; John Grady, Ali’s cousin; Ibn Ali, Ali’s nephew; Komawi Ali, Ali’s former brother-in-law; Jerry Ellis, brother of Jimmy Ellis, who was Ali’s former sparring partner and also a former heavyweight champion; Jan Wadell, Ali’s first cousin; and John Ramsey, Ali’s family friend, according to ESPN.
The city-sponsored festival Wednesday will “celebrate Ali’s life journey and fierce determination”, according to the city of Louisville.
People wait in line for tickets to a memorial service outside the KFC Yum! Imam Zaid Shakir, a Muslim scholar and co-founder of Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California, will lead the service.
“Muhammad Ali memorial tix are SOLD OUT”.
Organizers have said several heads of state will attend. In addition to the two public services, a private service for Ali’s family and closer friends is scheduled for Friday morning, before the funeral procession. The route will include a boulevard bearing Ali’s name on the way to the Cave Hill Cemetery.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed he will be there but President Barack Obama will not attend, remaining in Washington for the high school graduation ceremony of his eldest daughter, Malia.
The public memorial service is expected to draw thousands.
“I just want to be part of it”, she said.
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The police department is calling on some off-duty personnel to help, and the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau has lined up about 1,000 volunteers, its director said.
