Ali’s funeral will take place at a large concert and sports arena, the KFC Yum!
Advertisement
He said, “You might be a good football player, but you will never be as pretty as me!”
Ali died last Friday in Arizona following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Also serving is Jerry Ellis, brother of Jimmy Ellis, who was Ali’s former sparring partner and former world heavyweight champion.
The day before the interfaith service on Friday, a traditional Muslim “jenazah” will be held at Louisville’s Freedom Hall, Gunnell announced.
Ali’s family ultimately removed him from life support on Friday, Gunnell said.
“Not really”, was Dr. Abe Lieberman’s answer when he was asked Monday if submitting the brain for research was discussed.
Yeoh said he was very touched that Ali decided to make an appearance on the night of the charity event, as the boxer had not attended it the previous two years. 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.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer called Ali “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”.
Over the next several years, Ali developed a brash personal style, labeling himself “The Greatest” and boldly predicting the outcomes of his fights down to the round in which he would knock out his opponent.
“I know how devastating this debilitating disease is and I have some dear friends who are still suffering from it”, he said.
The service will follow a procession through the city and Ali will be buried in a private funeral service following the public memorial. It will be open to all.
They chose the venue both because it seats 18,000 and because it holds historical significance for the hometown hero.
Ali’s career stretched from 1960 to 1981 before he retired with a record of 56-5, including such historic bouts as the “Rumble in the Jungle” against George Foreman in 1974 in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire).
“It’s not about who they are, it’s about the fact that we just don’t have room on the program for them”, Gunnell said, adding that their representatives were “gracious and understood” when informed. The service will be open to the public.
The legacy of Muhammad Ali will most certainly continue to live on throughout the ages as being one of the most influential athletes to ever live.
California imam and scholar Zaid Shakir will preside over the service, family spokesman Bob Gunnell said.
Advertisement
Former US president Bill Clinton and comedian Billy Crystal are among those expected to speak about Ali. And he wanted ordinary fans to attend, not just VIPs.
