“The Greatest” defeated Willi Besmanoff on November 29, 1961. But if you want a taste of what it was like back in the day, check out the 1997 documentary, “When We Were Kings”, which chronicles the battle with Foreman and the surrounding events.
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Sports presenter and journalist Bryant Gumbel is also expected to speak at the funeral, which will follow a procession of Ali’s body through Louisville on Friday morning, in order for members of the public to pay their final respects to the boxer.
“We’ve also been planning – as The Champ has been sick – for quite some time, and we handle big crowds in this city”, said the Democratic mayor of Louisville, which hosts the Kentucky Derby every year.
“It’s only fitting that the people have the opportunity to send him off with a very robust commemoration so we thank the family for that”, Shakir said.
Among the talkers at “The Greatest’s” funeral will be Malcolm X’s daughter Attalah Shabazz, wife Lonnie Ali, eldest daughter Maryum, American actor Billy Crystal, former U.S. president Bill Clinton and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey.
Those who can’t make it inside the arena can watch the funeral streamed live on the website for the Muhammad Ali Center. Bob Gunnell announced funeral details at a news conference Monday.
Political leaders, sports figures, celebrities and fans around the world paused to remember “The Greatest”, whose career spanned three decades.
“My son is a spitting image of my father when he was young and he has so many of his same similar characteristics and qualities”, Ali told Matt Lauer. “And I’m OK with that”.
The planning for the memorials involved many people in the Louisville, Kentucky, area who were asked to sign nondisclosure agreements, Gunnell said.
President Barack Obama led tributes for Ali, issuing an unusually personal statement in which he said he keeps a pair of Ali’s boxing gloves and a photo in his private study. The other half was committed to sharing a message of peace and inclusion with the world. “Following his wishes, his funeral will reflect those principles, and be a celebration open to everyone”. The first time I ever met him on the (Johnny) Carson show in NY… Then, all of a sudden, he takes off flying.
In its place, a miles-long procession will carry Ali’s body across his home town.
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Hana Ali said her stepmother called the children and told them to get to the hospital as soon as possible.
