Published: Jun 04, 2016, 12:07 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 04, 2016, 12:08 PM (IST)
After struggling with Parkinson’s disease, boxing legend Muhammad Ali passed away at the age of 74, said a spokesperson from his family on Friday. Recently, Ali was hospitalised for respiratory ailment. Apart from his ailment, he has been going through Parkinson’s for more than three decades. He was hospitalised in Phoenix, Arizona this week. Ali retired from boxing in 1981 with a records of 56 wins, 37 by knockout and five losses. Knowing legend he is and sportsmen have been following him since decades, cricketers were taken aback with this sad news on Friday morning. Most of the cricketers posted their condolences and expressed their bit for the ‘Titan of Boxing’. ALSO READ: Delhi Daredevils display Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali quotes to motivate players
One of the greatest ever passes over #MuhammadAli. may his soul always rest in peace. God bless
— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) June 4, 2016
RIP to Muhammad Ali it’s hard to believe he is gone. Praying for his family and friends as they go through this trying time.
— Sanath Jayasuriya (@sanath07) June 4, 2016
Greatest sportsman of all time! May his soul rest in peace #MuhammadAli
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) June 4, 2016
Muhammad Ali is dead;Long Live Muhammad Ali..Truest King of the Ring..Like Sobers & Pele the World’ll never see Gr8r Athlete than Ali..RIP!
— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) June 4, 2016
“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— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 4, 2016
There will never be anyone like him. Simply “The Greatest Of All Time.” God Rest your soul Muhammad Ali #FloatLikeAButterflyStingLikeABee
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) June 4, 2016
No one ever doubted that you were and always will be the GREATEST #RIPMuhammadAli #champ pic.twitter.com/LzpLijYO3o
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) June 4, 2016
RIP SIR MUHAMMAD ALI.most loveable,respected,biggest champion ever this world have seen.#cassuisclay #biggestsportman #legend # NO1 alwys
— Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) June 4, 2016
May his soul rest in peace #MuhammadAli sir #legend #truechampion
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) June 4, 2016
RIP #MuhammadAli #TheGreatest https://t.co/Kt575jGK5i
— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) June 4, 2016
A man who inspired millions and millions of people is no more.The legend of Muhammed Ali will live on https://t.co/tYIzMNdKn2 Sir
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) June 4, 2016
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 4, 2016
Had this pic on my wall as a kid – you inspired millions of people around the globe. An absolute legend #RIP pic.twitter.com/wj7arvqPij
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) June 4, 2016
Muhammad Ali, #TheGreatestOfAllTime #RIP
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) June 4, 2016
The greatest boxer of all times #MohammadAli has left this temporary world,condolence to family,friends & fans. RIP pic.twitter.com/gHjPwbB0fQ
— Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) June 4, 2016
A #champion #hero #legend Muhammad Ali RIP. You defined greatness and will always remain one. Icon #sports #boxing https://t.co/VaJ17BPgLc
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) June 4, 2016
It was not just Indian cricketers but also players from across the globe expressing grief. Concern for the three-time heavyweight world champion had grown throughout Friday amid reports that his respiratory trouble was complicated by the Parkinson’s that had left the fighter called “The Greatest” increasingly frail. Known for his achievements in rings and civil right activism, he has been hospitalised earlier many a times.
He spent time in hospital in 2014 after suffering a mild case of pneumonia and again in 2015 for a urinary tract infection.
Considering he suffered maximum punches during his studded career, Parkinsons had set in by them and restricted his speaking skills. But he continued to make appearances and express his views through family members or spokesperson. In April, he attended a Celebrity Fight Night Dinner in Phoenix that raised funds for treatment of Parkinson’s.
