AS fast as his mouth and famous footwork, tributes quickly poured out the moment the world was let known about the death of boxing’s greatest fighter Muhammad Ali on Saturday (Manila time).
From promoter Bob Arum, Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao, to the Golden Boy Oscar Dela Hoya, tributes were extolled on the late three-time heavyweight champion of the world, while deep sympathies were extended to the family of the former Olympic gold medalist, who died at the age of 74 after long years of battling Parkinson’s disease.
“A true great has left us. Muhammad Ali transformed this country and impacted the world with his spirit,” said Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank Inc., who made his first boxing promotion through the Ali-George Chuvalo title fight in March 29, 1966.
“His legacy will be part of our history for all time,” added the 84-year-old Arum in his statement.
“We lost a giant today,” Pacquiao, the retired eight-time world division champion and newly-elected member of the Philippine Senate, said for his part. “Boxing benefited from Muhammad Ali’s talent, but not nearly as much as mankind benefitted from his humanity.”
“RIP @muhammadali. a legend who transcended sport and was a true champion for all,” said Dela Hoya, the 1992 Olympic gold winner and multi-titled world champ, in his twitter account@OscarDeLaHoya.
Below are some of the other thoughts by diverge group of people from the world of sports and entertainment who mourned the death of the man referred to as ‘The Greatest.’
God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli #TheGreatest #RIP pic.twitter.com/jhXyqOuabi
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) June 4, 2016
Looking forward to the day my son Cassius asks me "Dad, where did I get my name from?"
— Gabe Norwood (@GNorwood5) June 4, 2016
Condolences to the Ali family. RIP to The Greatest. Thank you for inspiring me. #ripmuhammadali
— Brian Viloria (@BrianViloria) June 4, 2016
RIP to one of the greatest to ever step in the ring! https://t.co/E4LcmT2ME7
— Roy Jones Jr. (@RealRoyJonesJr) June 4, 2016
You will be missed #MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/zMIt8fkBj8
— Freddie Roach (@FreddieRoach) June 4, 2016
The Greatest!! #rip #muhammedali https://t.co/spLPdWBf4l
— ali peek (@mtnpeek) June 4, 2016
Please keep @MuhammadAli in your thoughts and prayers. With God, all things are possible. pic.twitter.com/scABVLxroB
— Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) June 4, 2016
RIP @muhammadali, a legend who transcended sport and was a true champion for all. #thegreatest #MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/vjmXlXaHip
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) June 4, 2016
Thinking about how I'll react when the sports icons whose greatness I actually witnessed start passing on.
— Tin Gamboa (@suzy899) June 4, 2016
A few things I'll cherish forever https://t.co/DVkb2nOdGh pic.twitter.com/hlIMHQEHYG
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 4, 2016
No more 'float like a butterfly sting like a bee.' We've lost the greatest - Muhammad Ali
— Chot Reyes (@coachot) June 4, 2016
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) June 4, 2016
The Greatest. In boxing and in life, an inspiration to mankind. https://t.co/lfgd3H2gaT
— Gennady Golovkin (@GGGBoxing) June 4, 2016
RIP Cassius Clay ????????
— Chris Banchero (@ChrisBanchero) June 4, 2016
Rest in Paradise Champ ???????? #GOAT #Cassius #LouisvilleLip
— Solomon Mercado (@M3rcMyWords) June 4, 2016
Rest in Paradise Champ ???????? #GOAT #Cassius #LouisvilleLip
— Solomon Mercado (@M3rcMyWords) June 4, 2016
A true great has left us. @MuhammadAli transformed this country and impacted the world with his spirit. pic.twitter.com/ByNZYhM2ro
— Bob Arum (@BobArum) June 4, 2016
...His legacy will be part of our history for all time.
— Bob Arum (@BobArum) June 4, 2016
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