Muhammad Ali 'housebound and struggling to speak' - reports

The newspaper have run an article suggested that the three-time world heavyweight world champion is restriced to his house after his illness deteriorated.

He was diagnosed with the disease in 1984.

His brother Rahman apparently said he "doesn't speak too well" these days.

Ali could not attend a premiere of a film about his life last week nor participate in the production of the movie.

Muhammad’s son, Ali Jnr, said in January that he did not think his father would last another year.

‘I just want, hope and pray to God that this awful disease takes my dad sooner rather than later. Take him away from all the suffering he’s in.’

Ali was ranked among the 20 most influential Americans ever last year by Time Magazine for his humanitarianism and the inspiration he provided to people around the globe.

He has battled Parkinson's, a progressive disorder in which dopamine levels in the brain decline affecting messages to nerves controlling movement and coordination.