Muhammad Ali's life celebrated by thousands at prayer service

ByPA Sport

Published 09/06/2016 at 16:57 GMT

Thousands of people have gathered to celebrate Muhammad Ali's life at a traditional Islamic prayer service in the boxer's home town of Louisville, Kentucky.

Muhammad Ali died last week aged 74

Image credit: PA Sport

Ali's former manager Don King and Reverend Jesse Jackson were among those arriving for the Jenazah at the Freedom Hall, where Ali made his professional debut with victory over Tunney Hunsaker in 1960.

Up to 18,000 people are expected at the event, with Ali fans travelling from around the world to honour the three-time world heavyweight champion.

Briton Abi Ajram, 48, said he had made the 4,000-mile trip from London to pay respect to "a great man".

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He told the Press Association: "I feel Muhammad Ali deserved the world turning up for him. I thought it's the least I can do and I wanted to do it the moment I heard he had passed away.

"He was the number one.

"I wanted to show my respect to a great man and an even greater humanitarian. He meant a lot to me.

"I met him at the Royal Albert Hall in 2000. I shook his hand. I didn't know what to say."

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