A huge funeral procession for Muhammad Ali has begun in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, after the three time heavyweight champion lost his battle with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 74.
Spectators lined the streets carrying signs and flowers while chanting the former boxing sensation’s name. At least 18,000 people are expected to attend the funeral service to pay their respects
Former US president Bill Clinton will a deliver a eulogy. Ali’s widow Lonnie and two of his nine children, daughters Rasheda and Maryum, will also speak at the service.
Lennox Lewis, the former world heavyweight boxing champion, Will Smith who played the part of Ali in the 2001 film of the same name, will be pallbearers.
The service is being held at the KFC Yum! Centre at 2pm local time (7pm Irish time). Their will be a private burial at Cave Hill Cemetery later on this evening.