Ali spokesman Bob Gunnell made the details public as the three-time world champion’s family and the Mayor of his hometown of Louisville revealed their heartache at losing the gifted former fighter at the age of 74.
Daughters Maryum and Hana both believe their father is now in a better place after a battle with Parkinson’s lasting over three decades.
“I am happy my father no longer struggles. He is in a better place. God is the greatest,” Maryum said, whilst Hana wrote about Ali’s final moments on social media.
“We all tried to stay strong and whispered in his year, ‘You can go no. We will be okay,’” Hana stated.
In a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky – where Ali grew up and hailed from, Mayor Greg Fischer addressed a crowd at the Metro Hall on Saturday afternoon.
“The Louisville Lip spoke to everyone. But we heard him in a way no one else could, as our brother, our uncle and our inspiration.”
“Imagine that day, that little boy, eyes wide open, looking around the room at the old Louisville General Hospital, not knowing the life that awaited him, the life he would make, the world he would shake up, and the people he would inspire. And like you, I am absolutely one of those people.”
Fischer added: “Muhammad Ali belongs to the world, but he only has one hometown.”
The funeral for Ali will be held on Friday with ex-US Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton both expected to speak at the Louisville service.
