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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Entertainment
Olivia Blair

Muhammad Ali dies aged 74: George Foreman, Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson lead tributes to 'the greatest'

Tributes have poured in for the boxing legend and civil rights campaigner Muhammad Ali who has died age 74.

Ali passed away after being admitted to a Phoenix hospital for a respiratory condition earlier this week. 

Fellow boxers George Foreman, Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather led tributes, paying their respects to the iconic boxer. The tributes also extended beyond the boxing world as figures from the civil rights movement, politics and entertainment shared their sentiments.

Foreman, who infamously fought Ali in the "Rumble in the Jungle fight" of 1974, said he, Ali and Joe Frazier were "one". He also told the BBC: "Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest human beings I have ever met. No doubt he was one of the best people to have lived in this day and age."

Tyson also paid tribute, sharing a photo of them together, and calling him the greatest.

Floyd Mayweather Jnr told Fox News there will never be another Muhammad Ali. "The black community all around the world, black people all around the world, needed him. He was the voice for us. He's the voice for me to be where I'm at today."

Frank Bruno called Ali a "mentor, friend and earthly god of humanity", while Lennox Lewis praised his "courage and conviction".

British boxer Amir Khan also paid tribute on Twitter.

Another British boxer, Nicola Adams, called Ali an "inspiration".

Irish boxer Barry McGuigan said "today we lost the greatest sportsman that's ever lived".

Civil rights campaigner Reverend Jesse Jackson Snr also paid tribute.

Michael Parkinson, who interviewed Ali on several occasions, told the BBC he was "extraordinary". 

Lionel Richie said the Heavyweight Champion will always be his "hero".

David Beckham shared a photo of himself meeting the boxer, writing he was :the greatest there ever will be".

Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton said he was "gutted" by the death of Ali.

From beyond the boxing world, Apple CEO Tim Cook paid tribute with a quote from Ali while David Cameron said he was a "champion of civil rights and a role model for so many people".

A funeral service for Ali is expected to take place on Wednesday in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

Additional reporting by agencies.

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