Gunnell said a procession on Friday would take the boxer “through the streets of Louisville to allow anyone who’s there from the world to say goodbye”.
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He made a substantial donation to the funding of the Muhammad Ali Centre in Louisville which is a shrine to The Greatest and a source of help and inspiration to aspiring youngsters in his home town. Also known as “The People’s Champion”, Ali -who battled Parkinson’s disease for 32 years – remained out of public eye in recent years. If you’re like me, you can hear the voice of a great singer, but if said signer also beats up his girlfriend or doesn’t tip waiters, you can’t respect it.
Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr in Louisville on January 17, 1942, Ali was a three-time world heavyweight champion and considered to be one of the greatest boxers in history, with 56 wins over the course of his career.
Muhammad Ali’s daughter Laila gave an emotional interview Monday with ABC’s “Good Morning America” about her recently deceased father.
Earlier in the week he was admitted to hospital with respiratory issues linked to Parkinson’s disease, which he had been diagnosed with in 1984.
“All of his organs failed but his HEART wouldn’t stop beating”.
Muhammad Ali once spelled out what he wanted as his legacy: “I would like to be remembered as a man who won the heavyweight title three times, who was humorous, and who treated everyone right. That is a true testament to the strength of his spirit and will”.
His daughter, Hana Ali, issued an emotional tribute, saying: “Our hearts are literally hurting but we are so happy that Daddy is now free”.
And in a touching moment at Ali’s 50th birthday in 1992, just a few years before Cosell died, the sportscaster came to the podium to honor his friend.
More than 30,000 tickets will be distributed to the public for two memorials scheduled for Thursday and Friday in sports arenas in the city.
She added: “It was time for him to go, and I know he’s in a better place now”.
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Louisville was a segregated city during Ali’s youth, and the aspirant boxer grew up in a black middle-class neighbourhood.
