Late last night, the world was rocked by the news that Muhammad Ali, one of the most famous athletes in American history, had passed away at the age of 74.
On Monday, the three-time world heavyweight boxing champion was admitted to HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, after suffering respiratory distress due to Parkinson’s disease. His health took a turn for the worse on Friday; he departed this world surrounded by his family.
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During a press conference today, Bob Gunnell, a family spokesman, informed the media that Ali’s official time of death was “Friday at 9:10 p.m.,” and Ali died of “septic shock due to unspecified natural causes.”
Since he was a man of the people, Ali’s funeral will be public and held on Friday afternoon at the KFC Yum! Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
“He was a citizen of the world and would want people from all walks of life to be able to attend his funeral,” said Gunnell.
President Clinton, Billy Crystal and Bryant Gumbel will give eulogies at the service.
“Muhammad Ali belongs to the world,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer at a memorial service this morning in front of Metro Hall. “But he only has one hometown.”
Ali, born Cassius Clay, first started training at age 12 and won his first championship at age 22 in a stunning 1964 upset over Sonny Liston. At 18, he had won the Light Heavyweight gold medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.
(via BBC)
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Muhammad Ali’s family and friends.
