The legendary boxer's family confirmed that he passed away on Friday night, June 3 and that his funeral would take place in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
- June 4, 2016
AceShowbiz -
After a two-day hospitalization, Muhammad Ali passed away on Friday night, June 3. The former world heavyweight boxing champion, 74, checked into a Phoenix, Arizona hospital earlier this week due to respiratory issue, which was worsened by his Parkinson's disease.
His family's spokesman Bob Gunnell has confirmed the sad news, saying in a statement, "After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening."
Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky in 1942. He began boxing at the age of 12 and shot to fame for winning light-heavyweight gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics. He converted to Islam in 1964 and later changed his name to Muhammad Ali.
The legendary athlete, also known as "The Greatest," eventually retired from boxing in 1981 after winning 56 of his 61 fights. Three years later, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Prior to his death, Ali had been hospitalized several times in recent years, including once in late 2014 after suffering a severe urinary tract infection.
Ali is survived by his wife of 30 years Yolonda Williams as well as two sons and seven daughters, including retired boxer Laila Ali. The family has said his funeral will take place in his hometown of Louisville.
