Ali, a three-time world heavyweight champion, died in hospital in Arizona last Friday.
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Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and comedian Billy Crystal were among those previously announced as participating in public events as the world grieves the loss of the boxer, showman and antiwar activist who captivated global attention in the 1960s and 1970s.
Lewis, who reigned as undisputed world heavyweight champion after beating Evander Holyfield in 1999, was named as a pallbearer today. Those who unable to attend will be able to watch the service online.
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.
On the eve of the ceremony there will be an Islamic prayer service and private family funeral, organisers said.
Among the speakers at “The Greatest’s” funeral will be Malcolm X’s daughter Attalah Shabazz, wife Lonnie Ali, eldest daughter Maryum, American actor Billy Crystal, former United States president Bill Clinton and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey.
Official events start with a private ceremony on Thursday, followed by an Islamic service for the public at Freedom Hall, the site of Ali’s last professional fight in Louisville, where he defeated Willi Besmanoff on November 29, 1961.
Islamic studies scholar Timothy Gianotti told reporters in Louisville the funeral “was really designed and intended by the champ himself to be his last statement to the people of planet Earth”.
“He wanted the memorial service to reflect his life, and how he lived”.
“Everything that we’re doing here was blessed by Muhammad Ali, and was requested”, Mr Gunnell said. That’s why we set Freedom Hall – not just with its historical significance but with the size of Freedom Hall, so that everyone fits in.
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Born under the name of Cassius Clay, but known by millions around the world as Muhammad Ali, is dead at age of 74.
