Don King, who promoted Ali’s epic victory over George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle,” said Ali will live on forever.
“He was tremendous, not just a boxer, a great human being, icon, and his spirit will never die, like Martin Luther King Jr. They inspired people to do what was right and stand their ground.
That is why Muhammad Ali will never die.”
San Francisco : Muhammad Ali was remembered in tributes worldwide for his iconic fight for social justice as well as his legendary boxing battles following his death Friday at age 74.
“We lost a giant today. Boxing benefitted from Muhammad Ali’s talents but not as much as mankind benefitted from his humanity.”
-Filipino fighter Manny Pacquiao
“He is, without a question in my mind, the most transformative person of our time. Muhammad Ali had the most influence because he was this great sportsman, great boxer, the way he could connect with people, a great talker, he said what was on his mind, what he thought was right.”
-Boxing promoter Bob Arum
“We lost a legend, a hero and a great man. He’s one of the guys who paved the way for me to be where I’m at. Today my heart goes out to a pioneer, a true legend, and a hero by all means! Not a day went by entering the gym that I didn’t think of you.”
-Floyd Mayweather,
“God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli TheGreatest RIP.”
-Mike Tyson
“I definitely feel the loss after his death. He’s a legend around the world, a boxer everyone adored who made boxing interesting. It’s a great loss, I myself was inspired by him. He was my inspiration when I was growing up.”
-Indonesian boxing star Chris John.
Retired fighter and promoter Oscar de la Hoya praised Ali as “one of the world’s most celebrated athletes, the fighter who ushered in the golden era of boxing and put the sport on the map. Ali exemplified courage. He never took the easy route, something to be admired in and outside of the ring. As we reflect on his life, let us remember a man who pursued greatness in everything he did and be inspired to hold ourselves to that same standard.”
“The world has lost a monumental, unforgettable figure.” Harry Rei, US Senator from Nevada and former fighter in his younger days.
US Presidential candidate Donald Trump tweeted: “Muhammad Ali is dead at 74! A truly great champion and a wonderful guy. He will be missed by all!”
Four-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Janet Evans said, “Muhammad Ali was truly the greatest — an athlete who transcended sports to become a global icon. He inspired me, and millions of others around the world, to be the best version of ourselves. Passing the Olympic torch to Muhammad to light the cauldron at the Atlanta Games in 1996 was the defining moment of my career, and a memory I will treasure forever, as much as any of the medals I won.”
“He is an icon and a great man. He taught us how to fight, how to overcome hardships.”
China’s first-ever WBC champion Xiong Chaozhong.
“I planned to go visit my idol Mr Muhammad Ali after winning a professional bout. But now, I can only pray he is at peace in heaven, and free from illness and pain.”
China’s two-time Olympic champion boxer Zou Shiming “Both Chinese boxing and world boxing benefitted from Ali’s talents. He fought against injustice and sacrificed prime years of his own career in the process.”
Chinese boxer Yang Lianhui.
