Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has been laid to rest in his hometown in the US state of Kentucky, following a funeral procession attended by tens of thousands of fans.
Ali’s private burial ceremony on Friday at Louisville’s Cave Hill Cemetery was followed by a memorial, attended by world leaders including former US president Bill Clinton.
Actor Will Smith, who played the three-time heavyweight world champion in the 2001 film Ali, helped carry the coffin, along with former heavyweight champions, Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis, and family members.
As the interfaith service got under way, the crowd of up to 15,000 burst into applause and chanted, “Ali! Ali!” when a Muslim religious leader welcomed the audience to “the home of the people’s champ”.
Religious and political leaders joined celebrities, sports stars and tens of thousands of ordinary people in bidding farewell to the boxing champion who jolted America with his showmanship and won worldwide admiration as a man of conviction.
Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, died a week ago at age 74 as one of the most respected men in the United States.
Wife Lonnie Ali, former U.S. President Bill Clinton and leaders from an array of religions eulogised a man who went from Olympic gold medal winner in 1960 to three-time heavyweight champion to an elder statesman suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
Several tributes were accorded to this great sportsman at his hometown in Louisville, Kentucky.
Here’s our pick out of the bunch.
- If Muhammad did not like the rules, he would rewrite them. His religion, his name, his beliefs, were his to fashion, no matter what the cost – Ali´s wife Lonnie.
- Muhammad Ali was America. Muhammad Ali will always be America – Senior presidential aide, Valerie Jarrett, reading a tribute from President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.
- He decided, very young, to write his own life story. He decided that he would not be ever disempowered – Former US President Bill Clinton.
- Thirty-five years after he stopped fighting, [Ali was] still the champion of the world. He was a tremendous bolt of lightning created by Mother Nature. Muhammad Ali struck us in the middle of America’s darkest night and his intense light shone on America and we were able to see clearly – Comedian Billy Crystal
- He dared to love black people at a time when black people had a problem loving themselves – Senior Pastor Kevin Cosby, St Stephen´s Baptist Church.
- He may have been a tough man in the ring but he was a compassionate and tender man around those he loved – Senator Orrin Hatch, speaking as a member of the Mormon faith.
- Muhammad Ali was the heart of this city – the living, breathing embodiment of the greatest that we can be – Rabbi Joe Rapport
- Having Muhammad Ali in my life somehow sustained my dad´s breath for me just a little while longer – 51 years longer until now – Attallah Shabazz, daughter of slain Nation of Islam leader Malcolm X.
- At the key moment when he had that recognition, he used it to stand up to an immoral war and say, ´No, I won´t go – Rabbi Michael Lerner, speaking about Ali´s refusal to serve in Vietnam.
Watch the video of the burial below.
