Muhammad Ali Finally Laid To Rest In His Hometown

 

– Muhammad Ali was buried on Friday, June 10 in his hometown of Kentucky 

– Ali wanted his funeral to be attended by the ordinary people and not just VIPs 

– Actor Will Smith and former boxers Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis are among the pallbearers 

– Ali died on June 3 aged 74 from septic shock after battling respiratory illness 

Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was buried on Friday, June 10 in his home town of Louisville, Kentucky. Ali was hospitalized on June 2, 2016, with a respiratory illness but died the following day, aged 74, from septic shock. His death was mourned around the world, with a family spokesman stating the family “certainly believes that Muhammad was a citizen of the world. 

Ali was married four times and had seven daughters and two sons. His daughter Laila says her dad was surrounded by all 9 of his children when he died. “We sent off in a very peaceful way.” 

 

Ali decided years ago that when he died, the funeral would be open to ordinary fans, not just VIPs. As a result, thousands of free tickets were made available and were snatched up within an hour. 

Actor Will Smith and ex-boxer Lennox Lewis will be among the pall-bearers as the procession began at 2pm.

I could stare at this beautiful memorial outside of the @AliCenter all day. It has grown so much. #TheGreatest pic.twitter.com/xnQzmlnFvA

— Julia Rose (@WHAS11Julia) June 10, 2016

Amazing moment. #Louisville welcomes #MuhammadAli to his final resting place. @WHAS11 #Ali #TheGreatest pic.twitter.com/nG6QVoOl9H

— Kayla Moody (@WHAS11Kayla) June 10, 2016

Official #Ali funeral program ❤️ #ShareLouisville Photo: @originalgangsta

A photo posted by Share Louisville (@sharelouisville) on Jun 10, 2016 at 7:12am PDT

Then an 18,000 strong memorial service took place at 7pm, with former president Bill Clinton levering a eulogy. Others who spoke at the service held at the KFC Yum! Centre included actor Billy Crystal, former president Bill Clinton, Ali’s wife Lonnie, Valerie Jarrett, an aide to President Obama who knew the boxer personally and Rabbi Michael Lerner. Donald Trump and President Barack Obama were not be present at the funeral with the latter attending his daughter’s high school graduation.