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Will Smith and Lennox Lewis to be pallbearers at Muhammad Ali's funeral

Will Smith and Lennox Lewis to be pallbearers at Muhammad Ali's funeral

The boxer's funeral will be attended by people of all walks of life, as he had desired
07 Jun, 2016

Actor Will Smith and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis will be among the pallbearers for Muhammad Ali's funeral on Friday.

Will Smith, who played Muhammad Ali in his 2001 biopic, became a personal friend of the boxer during the course of the film.

They will be joining a list of notable athletes, entertainers and politicians to mourn the boxing legend.

According to a spokesperson of Muhammad Ali's family, the other pallbearers will include Jerry Ellis, brother of former world heavyweight champion Jimmy Ellis, John Grady (Ali's cousin), Ibn Ali (his nephew), Komawi Ali (former brother-in-law), Jan Wadell (also cousin) and family friend John Ramsey,

Hailed as the greatest boxer of all time and applauded for his work out of his field, Ali, who suffered from Parkinson's disease for many years, had planned his funeral with his family for a decade. He did not want the event to be for the great, but for everyone.

Louisvill, Kentucky, hometown to the boxer, will come to a standstill for the funeral.

'It's been a really bittersweet time for our city,' says Mayor of Louisvill, Greg Fischer. 'We've all been dreading the passing of The Champ, but at the same time we knew ultimately it would come. It was selfish for us to think that we could hold on to him forever. Our job now, as a city, is to send him off with the class and dignity and respect that he deserves.'

Former US President Bill Clinton, who was a personal friend of Ali as well as comedian Billy Crystal, are to attend the event, where they will also deliver eulogies.

An Islamic service will be led by Imam Zaid Shakir of California.

Already, fans of Muhammad Ali have had memorials for him. Around 300 fans gathered outside Ali's childhood home on Monday, with a memorial led by Islamic leaders, a dance group and the mayor himself.

'People might not like it, but if you stand up for what you believe in, then you won't be a pushover,' says Dwight Richardson, who brought seven kids he works with so they could learn about Ali's message.

Comments

Javid Shirazi Jun 07, 2016 06:24pm
Muhammad Ali was an inspiration to humanity.
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Parvez Anjum Jun 07, 2016 06:41pm
I am very impressed by the love and respect his fellow Americans are showering on this legend.
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Jamal Jun 07, 2016 06:42pm
Defiant against persecution but humble and magnanimous in victory. That was the hero Mohammad Ali, loved by the whole world.
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Akber Khan Jun 07, 2016 06:48pm
ONE OF THE FEW GREAT MEN OF OUR TIMES WHO SHOWED US THE PATH TO LIVE WITH HONOUR AND HUMAN DIGNITY. TO STAND UP FOR OUR PRINCIPLES IN THE FACE OF ALL ADVERSITY. HIS MEMORY WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEART
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Zack Khan-USA Jun 07, 2016 07:15pm
Great man!
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Abraham haque Jun 07, 2016 08:08pm
Only in America that two Christians will be pallbearers for a Muslim that makes America what it is the problems notwithstanding
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Rasheed Jun 07, 2016 10:50pm
Let us all pray in the holy month of Ramadan for brother Ali's Magferat. May Allah make Ali's journey easy towards the path of paradise., Ameen and Suma Ameen.
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zamir kiani usa Jun 07, 2016 11:50pm
ABOVE ALL, MUHAMMAD ALI WAS CHAMPION FOR THE HUMANITY ACROSS THE PLANET, MAY ALLAH ADMIT HIM IN FARDOOS
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mumtaz shah Jun 08, 2016 12:13am
RIP
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Iqbal Jun 08, 2016 01:10am
@Jamal Humble in victory? Boy you really don't know Ali.
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Jalaluddin S. Hussain Jun 08, 2016 03:19am
Muhammad Ali was a great and inspiring personality. May he rest in peace (RIP)!
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Dervaish Khan Jun 08, 2016 03:26am
Goodbye Mr Double Great.
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PakCanuck Jun 08, 2016 07:09am
Muhammed Ali was an amazing person. He grew up at a time when blacks were looked down upon in America, yet he shook the American conscience. He looked the American establishment right in the eyes and made it blink. What an amazing man. It was very sad that he suffered for so much and for so long.
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syed Jun 08, 2016 07:47am
Would our nation learn how to protest non-violently like Ali did
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unbewildered Jun 08, 2016 07:58am
Obama and Jimmy Carter should also have joined the funeral ceremony, as should have leaders of other Third World countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America. This would have given an appropriate message to Trump and his racist allies in the USA.
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S* Jun 08, 2016 08:21am
Not just boxing talent, but Allah gave him intellect as well ...
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Prophet Internet Jun 08, 2016 09:00am
@Javid Shirazi because he is a Muslim?
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Nazir Jun 08, 2016 10:04am
This is the love and respect, you achieve, when you stand up for your rights, and the rights of the oppressed and down trodden, people, not only in your own country, but across the world. He was the peoples Champ, truly the greatest. Rest in eternal peace brother.
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Khurram Jun 08, 2016 11:23am
Muhammad Ali was such a great personality. Really inspired me.
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Zafar Jun 08, 2016 12:55pm
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!!! RIP!!
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