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“Hero.” “Best friend.” “Humble Mountain.” “King.” “The Greatest Man that ever lived.”
These are the words several of Muhammah Ali’s children have used to describe the boxing legend, who died Friday at age 74 a day after being hospitalized for a respiratory ailment. His health was ailing for decades—he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984.
The three-time world heavyweight champion heavyweight champion’s daughters Rasheda Ali and Hana Ali took to Twitter after news of his passing was made public to pay tribute to their father.
“The Greatest Man that ever lived. Daddy my best friend & my Hero You R no longer suffering & now in a better place,” Rasheda tweeted, alongside a photo of her and her dad.
Muhammad, one of the most famous pop culture icons of his time, had often dubbed himself “the Greatest”—and his fans concurred.
“Our father was a ‘Humble Mountain!'” Hana wrote. “And now he has gone home to God. God bless you daddy. YOU ARE THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!”
Muhammad’s son Asaad Ali, his only child with fourth wife and widow Lonnie Williams, wrote on Instagram, “Forever grateful for everything you have ever gave me…You’ve shown me how to love the world in ways I didn’t know possible. You’ve shown me how to be brave and courageous in situations beyond my belief! You’ve taught me so much the last 25 years things that will forever be imprinted in my soul.”
“I’m able to sit here and right this post without falling apart because I honestly know you are in a greater place,” he added. “And I’m happy you get to go home to grandma now I know she has missed you like crazy! No one will ever touch this earth the way you did. God…came down and took back one of his kings! Rest easy Dad and continue to look over me sincerely. Your youngest.”
Daughter Laila Ali, a former boxing champion herself, has not commented about her father’s death. However, hours before the news was made public, she posted on her Facebook page a sweet photo of the boxing champion with her daughter Sydney, 5.
“I love this photo of my father and my daughter Sydney when she was a baby!” she wrote. “Thanks for all the love and well wishes. I feel your love and appreciate it!!”
Muhammad is set to be laid to rest following a funeral in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
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