Muhammad Ali dies, aged 74
Muhammad Ali: the 20 best moments that made him The Greatest
Live reactions from around the globe
Email: rob.smyth@theguardian.com
11.05am BST
Related: 'God came for his champion': Muhammad Ali tributes from around the world
11.02am BST
Muhammad Ali was not just a boxing legend, but a civil rights champion and a towering figure of our time
10.55am BST
Some more readers’ tributes from around the world
Mohammed Wajid Akhter: Muhammad Ali meant something special to everyone, but to Muslims he was an incredibly inspirational figure. You have to understand that for a once great civilization, Muslims have precious few public figures that represent the best of what we used to be and not where we are right now. All across the Muslim world, Ali stood out as an example of someone who was comfortable in his own skin and the world was comfortable with him too. Truly an example that will be missed.
10.39am BST
10.29am BST
Aside from aiding some of the best sports writing ever, Ali heavily influenced all facets of popular culture: from TV, to cinema to music. Some good, some bad but I’m sure we all have our personal favourites.
The Hours – Ali in the Jungle is one highlight, especially for the way David Frost’s iconic “most joyous scene” commentary comes in towards the end.
10.09am BST
It is difficult to bring to mind another sportsman that has helped produce such a deep vault of amazing writing. From the McIlvanney pieces below, to Mailer, to Plimpton and then this from Sports Illustrated by Mark Kram on the Thrilla in Manila.
The maddest of existentialists, one of the great surrealists of our time, the king of all he sees, Ali had never before appeared so vulnerable and fragile, so pitiably unmajestic, so far from the universe he claims as his alone.
9.56am BST
This is another nice tribute, from the president of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, especially the bit about rights strikingly missing in some of the world’s most prosperous nations.
Many will remember the wit, grace and beauty he brought to boxing and some will recall his visits to Ireland. All over the world people also flocked to hear him offer his view on the achievement of democracy and particularly equal rights when they were so strikingly missing in some of the richest countries of the world. He brought his message of freedom and respect for people of all races to all the continents of the world.
As a sportsman and humanitarian, and as someone who struggled for a very long time with one of the most debilitating illnesses, he offered courage in the face of great difficulties. He was intent on going on communicating right to the very end.
9.45am BST
Yaya Touré and Ali’s impact in Africa
RIP Muhammad Ali. You will always mean something special to me, Africa and the world. Thank you for all you did. pic.twitter.com/HFKfmi17Pq
9.42am BST
Some of your readers’ tributes
Richard Houghton, via email: “We had a greyhound we named after the great man. Ali (the dog) made it to the Greyhound Derby final, which in those days was televised on the BBC, and Harry Carpenter told the nation how Ali (the dog) was named because he was born at the same time as the boxer was in the ring winning another fight.”
9.34am BST
Another wonderful McIlvanney piece from the Guardian archive: after the Rumble in the Jungle, he went to Ali’s villa and was granted a two-hour audience with the champ.
All those writers who said I was washed up, all those people who thought I had nothin’ left to offer but my mouth, all them that been against me from the start and waitin’ for me to get the biggest beatin’ of all times. They thought big bad George Foreman, the baddest man alive, could do it for them but they know better now.
Related: From the Vault: Hugh McIlvanney meets Muhammad Ali, hours after the Rumble in the Jungle
9.30am BST
This is lovely. Lawrence Montgomery, in an interview with the Courier Journal, recalls how his next door neighbour Cassius Clay would jab his hands. “He told me, ‘Lawrence, I am going to be the heavyweight champion of the world’. I said: ‘You must be losing your mind.’ He said: ‘Just you wait and see.’”
“He would put on his boxing outfit and run to Chickasaw Park and back before school. Then he wouldn’t get on the bus to school – he would run beside it. He ran every place. Every time you saw him, he was just running.
9.22am BST
In Louisville, mourners are welcome to a ceremony at Metro Hall where the mayor, Greg Fischer, will lower flags to half-mast at 10am EDT. “The values of hard work, conviction and compassion that Muhammad Ali developed while growing up in Louisville helped him become a global icon.” Fischer said.
The Courier Journal report that those flags will remain at half-staff until Ali is laid to rest, and funeral arrangements will be announced later on Saturday. His burial, the newspaper says, will take place in Louisville.
9.15am BST
Every personal tribute carries the same weight, so feel free to email or tweet your own memories of Ali.
This is from Andy Goodwin, via email: “Ali’s spirt helped me through the darkest periods of my life and I am sure there are many like me. He’s left us but that spirt will always remain. Muhammad: the underdog’s champion.”
9.12am BST
The Democrat nomination hopeful Bernie Sanders says: “Muhammad Ali was the greatest, not only an extraordinary athlete but a man of great courage and humanity.”
And the Republican Donald Trump has weighed in: “Muhammad Ali is dead at 74! A truly great champion and a wonderful guy. He will be missed by all!” It would be too easy to score cheap political points here by contrasting with various other Trump tweets, so for the best that we leave it there.
Related: Muhammad Ali's greatest quotes: 'I'm so mean I make medicine sick'
Related: Muhammad Ali's greatest quotes: 'I'm so mean I make medicine sick'
9.00am BST
Ronnie Nathanielsz, the commentator assigned by the Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos to act as government liaison to Ali for Thrilla in Manila, has said: “We lost a hero, a peacemaker and a truly charismatic human being.”
Sean Ingle has compiled 20 of Ali’s greatest moments – featuring the 1975 fight here, but do also take time to read the unparalleled Hugh McIlvanney’s report from the time.
What we felt was awe at the spectacle of extraordinary men setting new limits for themselves, pushing back the boundaries of their courage, their physical and psychological capacity.
Related: From the Vault: Requiem for the heavyweights | Guardian Classic
8.53am BST
Hi. It puts Ali’s legendary status – a phrase that is used all too much but in this particular case does not quite seem enough – into context that heads of other sports have been quick to release tributes. The NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, makes a good point at the end of his message: “Ali’s legacy lives on in every athlete who takes a stand for what he or she believes.” And that will continue for generations.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement regarding the passing of Muhammad Ali pic.twitter.com/IJA2prCNO6
8.46am BST
That’s it’ from me (Russell Jackson) but Alan Smith will be joining you now as tributes continue to flow for Muhammad Ali, who has died today at the age of 74. I’ll leave you with this appropriately striking photograph of Ali preparing to take on Richard Dunn in Munich, back in May of 1976.
8.41am BST
English cricketer and professional wag Phil Tufnell has weighed in now, calling Ali the sports personality of the century in his Twitter tribute.
The world mourns sad loss of Greatest Boxer of all time, RIP Muhammad Ali #SportsPersonalityOfTheCentury
8.35am BST
Another fascinating read from the Guardian archives, this one from 1967: ‘Ali refuses to fight in Vietnam war.’
Related: Muhammad Ali refuses to fight in Vietnam war: From the archive, 27 April 1967
8.33am BST
“Clough I’ve had enough!” Here’s another great clip: Ali giving legendary football manager Brian Clough a verbal sparring session.
8.30am BST
Another worthwhile summary of all the reactions so far as the world stops to pay its respects to boxing’s greatest hero:
Related: 'God came for his champion': tributes paid to Muhammad Ali
8.27am BST
Muhammad Ali with his daughters, Laila and Hanna, in 1978. Via @GettyImages pic.twitter.com/LNeoXStXkZ
8.26am BST
From the archive: this is quite fascinating, because it gives you a look at exactly what the Guardian made of Muhammad Ali over the years, in real time.
Related: Muhammad Ali at 70: How the 'Louisville Lip' became 'The Greatest'
8.22am BST
When a child asked Ali what he’d do with his life when he retired.
A child asked Muhammad Ali what he would do when he retired. His long, beautiful answer stunned the crowd.https://t.co/qAuYcJUmv1
8.17am BST
If you haven’t seen it yet, please do check out our video obituary to The Greatest.
8.16am BST
This tribute post from the San Francisco Giants has us thinking: would any human being have patiently posed for as many photographs as Muhammad Ali did in his life? Everyone who ever met him seems to have been given the opportunity.
Muhammad Ali. The Greatest. Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/Rji6KryXeN
8.12am BST
A statement from the WWE on Ali’s passing
“WWE is saddened to learn that two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali passed away at age 74 on June 3, 2016,” it starts, before detailing Ali’s perhaps lesser known links to wrestling.
“Ali also made history for his historic boxer vs. wrestler match against WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki in Tokyo on June 26, 1976. The fight is regarded as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. In 1985, Ali made his mark in WWE history when he was one of the special guest referees for the main event of the first WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden. The bout featured WWE Champion Hulk Hogan and pop culture icon Mr. T against “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. During the contest, Ali climbed up onto the ring apron and took a swing at Piper.”
“WWE extends its condolences to Ali’s family, friends and fans.”
8.06am BST
Muhammad Ali and Prince! One thing that was revealed in perhaps more detail than we’d previously realised after Prince’s death was how great a sports fan he was and here he is with The Greatest.
#RIPMuhammadAli #theboys pic.twitter.com/MkKAdOieyp
8.02am BST
Joe Bugner was famously able to go the distance with Ali not once but twice, and there’s a lovely fight poster in the tweet below.
#throwback @RealJoeBugner pic.twitter.com/OmTcpm7WG6
7.59am BST
Another literary recommendation, this time from a reader. Jon Pitt. “If you can find a non-paywall link to Tom Wolfe’s “Marvelous Mouth”, that would be a very worthy addition to your Muhammad Ali liveblog. It follows him around NYC leading up to the Liston fight when he’s at his most showbiz...really enjoyable.”
Here’s another beauty from our own Kevin Mitchell:
Related: Muhammad Ali: fighter, joker, magician, religious disciple, preacher
7.56am BST
A statement from former US President Bill Clinton
Hillary and I are saddened by the passing of Muhammad Ali. From the day he claimed the Olympic gold medal in 1960, boxing fans across the world knew they were seeing a blend of beauty and grace, speed and strength that may never be matched again. We watched him grow from the brash self-confidence of youth and success into a manhood full of religious and political convictions that led him to make tough choices and live with the consequences. Along the way we saw him courageous in the ring, inspiring to the young, compassionate to those in need, and strong and good-humored in bearing the burden of his own health challenges.
I was honored to award him the Presidential Citizens Medal at the White House, to watch him light the Olympic flame, and to forge a friendship with a man who, through triumph and trials, became even greater than his legend. Our hearts go out to Lonnie, his children, and his entire family.
7.52am BST
It wouldn’t be a proper tribute to Muhammad Ali without an interjection or two from Howard Cosell, so here’s Ali’s verbal sparring partner in fine form wrangling the champ and basketball champion Wilt Chamberlain on ABC’s Wide World of Sport.
7.49am BST
British boxing hero Ricky Hatton has paid tribute to Ali, who says it was an honour to meet Ali.
Woke up to the sad news @MuhammadAli has passed away. No more suffering for you now champ.R.I.P.. It Was an honour to of met you.#Greatest.x
7.47am BST
7.37am BST
There’s a nice tribute here from one of Australia’s greatest ever athletes, Cathy Freeman, who says Ali “symbolises greatness for all the world over.”
Muhammad Ali represents and symbolises greatness for all the world over. His name and story will live on forever. RIP!
7.36am BST
When Ali met Fidel Castro, apparently he couldn’t resist a prank.
7.34am BST
Oscar De La Hoya has posted a Twitter tribute to Muhammad Ali with a typically cheeky photo attached.
RIP @muhammadali, a legend who transcended sport and was a true champion for all. #thegreatest #MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/vjmXlXaHip
7.32am BST
There’s a message from Ali’s daughter and undefeated professional boxer Laila Ali, which she posted to her Facebook page the night before her father’s death: “I love this photo of my father and my daughter Sydney when she was a baby! Thank for all the love and well wishes. I feel your love and appreciate it.”
7.28am BST
The World Boxing Association has released a statement saying that Ali was a “boxing legend, [who] was a social fighter and an honourable man. He was an outstanding committed athlete, who gave the best in the ring, a man who became world champion as well as a role model and inspiration for many young people,” the Association said.
“He defended his ideals and he believed in a better society. The whole world mourns the death of the man who became a [hallmark] of defence and speed in boxing. Rest in peace.”
7.24am BST
Some reaction from an Australian boxing hero, Jeff Fenech
Fenech has told Guardian Australia he hoped Ali was “in a much better place.”
7.21am BST
The gift of the gab - some more great Muhammad Ali quotes
“It’s just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.”
7.14am BST
Former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield has now spoken about the loss of Ali, telling MSNBC: “I’m glad to have known Ali because when I was a kid, at eight years old, I was told I would be like Ali.”
“To take it upon yourself and say; ‘I’m the greatest’, you put yourself in a position for people to take pot shots at you. This is what Ali did. It’s amazing him becoming three-time heavyweight champion of the world. At that time people thought, ‘Who could beat three? You have to be stronger to get up from a loss to go on and that’s what Ali proved to be.”
7.11am BST
Jarryd Hayne has also tweeted a tribute to The Greatest. “Loved his character/personality”, he says.
Rest In Peace Muhammad Ali. Inspiration in and out of the ring. Loved his character/personality #peopleschamp #goat pic.twitter.com/aYWacyxwKN
7.07am BST
Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather has now spoken of Ali’s death, telling Fox News: “There will never be another Muhammad Ali. The black community all around the world, black people all around the world, needed him. He was the voice for us. He’s the voice for me to be where I’m at today.”
Ali and his wife Yolanda attended Mayweather’s fight against Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena back in May, 2010.
7.03am BST
UFC star Jon Jones has also paid tribute to Ali, posing with some items with which he’ll remember the boxing great.
A few things I'll cherish forever https://t.co/DVkb2nOdGh pic.twitter.com/hlIMHQEHYG
7.01am BST
Manny Pacquiao has reacted to the news now, sharing a short statement on Ali. “We lost a giant today,” it starts. “Boxing benefitted from Muhammad Ali’s talents but not nearly as much as mankind benefited from his humanity. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Ali family. May god bless them.”
6.56am BST
Of course you can’t understand the full story of Ali the man without considering the issue of the Vietnam War, and this tweet from Salon political journalist Ben Norton has the money quote.
Muhammad Ali has passed away.
This is his legendary quote on why he refused to serve in the murderous Vietnam War. pic.twitter.com/9NNmWNztAI
6.54am BST
Indian cricket great Virender Sehwag has paid tribute to Ali in a tweet.
"Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee.
You can't hit what your eyes dont see"-
Muhammad Ali#RIPChamp #Legend pic.twitter.com/iGGQWSW64C
6.53am BST
Other great writing on Muhammad Ali: you certainly can’t go past New Yorker editor David Remnick’s biography, ‘King of the World’. For something shorter, try this profile piece, ‘American Hunger’, from The New Yorker.
6.50am BST
There’s an incredible series of tweets up at the moment by journalist Michael McEwan, detailing Ali’s visits to the bedside of boxer Michael Watson after he’s suffered serious head injuries fighting Chris Eubank in 1991. Doctors feared that Watson wouldn’t recover and he was unable to move or communicate. Then, as McEwan tells, this happened:
Then this happened... pic.twitter.com/EUYOE79yjj
6.43am BST
We’re throwing a lot of reading material at you I know, but if you’d like to feel like you’re ringside hearing the full weight of an Ali punch, Mark Kram’s sublime account of the 1975 ‘Thrilla in Manila’ between Ali and Joe Frazier is one of the classic pieces of sportswriting, as is Kram’s book, ‘Ghosts of Manila’.
You can read his fight report for Sports Illustrated here. It’s a gem, I assure you. Sports Illustrated would later vote it one of their 60 best stories ever.
6.37am BST
Former WBC champion Frank Bruno sent this tweet before Ali’s death had been confirmed, but the lovely sentiment remains.
Wishing The Champ well that cheeky sense of humour he said 2 me "your good looking but not as good looking as me" pic.twitter.com/KNBqeNswtj
6.36am BST
Just going back to ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ for a second, a matter of hours after Ali had defeated Foreman in that famous fight he spoke to Hugh McIlvanney, ensuring a meeting of two heavyweights in their respective fields. Enjoy.
“Man, that is a hell of an upset. It will be weeks before I realise the impact of this. I don’t feel like I’m champion again yet. I can’t wait to see all them magazines. They got to say I’m the greatest now, the greatest of all times. I fooled them all. They thought I’d have to try and dance against George, that my legs would go and I’d get tagged. George thought that too. But that was my main thing, not dancin’.
Related: From the Vault: Hugh McIlvanney meets Muhammad Ali, hours after the Rumble in the Jungle
6.30am BST
I guess a lot of country’s have their own little claim to Ali. Last year Guardian Australia’s Joe Gorman explored Ali’s visit to Fitzroy, north of Melbourne, in 1979. It’s a lovely little story.
Related: ‘He came to see blackfellas!’ When Muhammad Ali visited Fitzroy
6.23am BST
We couldn’t say for sure, but you wouldn’t bet against ‘When We Were Kings’ being among the most streamed items on Netflix in the next 24 hours. Here’s the trailer to the classic boxing documentary. “I’m so mean I make medicine sick!”
6.19am BST
Another of Ali’s famous rivals, George Foreman, has paid tribute to the man against whom he fought the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’. “A part of me slipped away,” he says.
Ralph Ali, Frazier & Foreman we were 1 guy. A part of me slipped away, "The greatest piece" https://t.co/xVKOc9qtub
6.17am BST
Was there any sportsperson as photogenic as Muhammad Ali? Our photo editor Jonny Weeks had a tough task on his hands picking 25 great photographs of The Champ but there’s some beautiful ones in here.
Related: Muhammad Ali – 25 of the best photographs of the legendary boxer
6.11am BST
Now a tribute from another former heavyweight champion of the world, Mike Tyson, who says “God came for his champion.”
God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli #TheGreatest #RIP pic.twitter.com/jhXyqOuabi
6.09am BST
If you’d like to re-live Ali at his greatest, our own Sean Ingle has compiled a list of the 20 moments that made him ‘The Greatest’. The photograph therein of Malcolm X snapping a quick pic of Ali after he’d beaten Sonny Liston to become heavyweight champion of the world is a gem.
Related: Muhammad Ali: the 20 best moments that made him The Greatest | Sean Ingle
6.06am BST
An early tribute from another legend of the fight game, boxing promoter Bob Arum:
A true great has left us. @MuhammadAli transformed this country and impacted the world with his spirit. pic.twitter.com/ByNZYhM2ro
6.05am BST
It feels right to start this appreciation of Ali’s life with one of his most emotional non-Boxing moments – when the champ lit the flame at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics:
5.54am BST
Welcome readers on what is a sad day as the world mourns the loss of Muhammad Ali, who has died at the age of 74 in a Phoenix-area hospital. We will bringing you live updates and reactions to the passing of a sporting icon.
Related: Muhammad Ali dies, aged 74
Continue reading...