Just a few days after her sister Hana shared a heartfelt Instagram post detailing their father’s last moments with the family, Laila Ali appeared on Good Morning America to speak briefly about the bittersweet moment.
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“The whole world is sad…I don’t feel alone”.
Christian Rev. Derek Penwell said the world lost a voice that said “love in spite of fear is the greatest expression of power that human beings can muster”.
“You know, you hold your head up and you say, ‘Yeah, he’s doing great, ‘ but, you know, I felt like he was trapped inside of his body so I have comfort in knowing that he’s not suffering anymore”.
Ali, formerly named Cassius Clay, died in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 74 on Friday evening local time.
He had been admitted to hospital earlier in the week with a respiratory condition having suffered with Parkinson’s disease for 32 years.
MUHAMMAD Ali’s coffin will be carried by Hollywood star Will Smith and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and Ali’s family members, it has been announced.
Muhammad’s daughter, Hana, penned an emotional letter to her iconic father on Instagram.
“Adding: “[Muhammad is] definitely going to live on through him.
“That Muslims and people of all faiths could attend, and perhaps learn more and be like Muhammad Ali, and open their hearts to everybody”.
Ali, who became a boxing champ herself, retired with an undefeated, 24-0 record – “with 21 knockouts!” she quipped.
Ali is survived by his fourth wife, Lonnie and nine children, including daughter Laila, who, followed in her father’s footsteps as a world champion boxer.
“He was a loving father”. I’m happy for that even though I will miss him deeply. “He was a spoiler”, she said with a laugh. “But that’s what I always remember, just being kissed and hugged, and him just being that person, just giving you anything you want because he wants to see a smile on your face”. There was something about Muhammad Ali that was different.
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But she made sure to pave her own style and path. “Our job now, as a city, is to send him off with the class and dignity and respect that he deserves”.
