News / International
Muhammad Ali on life support
03 Jun 2016 at 22:59hrs | Views
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has been admitted to hospital in Phoenix to be treated for a respiratory problem.
According to the UK Mirror, Ali is now on life support.
Two sources familiar with his condition told the Associated Press that Ali's problems may be more serious than his previous hospital stays.
They told the news agency Ali's health issue is being complicated by the Parkinson's he was diagnosed with in 1984.
Family spokesman Bob Gunnell said on Thursday the three-time former heavyweight champion was in a fair condition.
"A brief hospital stay is expected," said Mr Gunnell.
The Kentucky native was discharged from hospital in January last year after he was briefly treated for a severe urinary tract infection which was initially diagnosed as pneumonia.
Nicknamed The Greatest, Ali retired from boxing in 1981 with a 56-5 record.
The Olympic gold medallist was born in Louisville, Kentucky, as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, and changed his name in 1964 when he converted to Islam.
He has looked increasingly frail in public in recent years.
His last appearance was on 9 April at the annual Celebrity Fight Night dinner in Phoenix, which raises money for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.
Despite the disease, Ali has kept up a busy schedule until recently, although he has not spoken publicly for years.
Doctors have said the Parkinson's was likely to have been caused by the thousands of punches Ali took during his career.
At one point one of the most recognised people in the world, Ali has lived quietly in the Phoenix area with his fourth wife, Lonnie, whom he married in 1986.
Former boxer Sugar Ray Leonard tweeted: "Prayers & blessings to my idol, my friend & without question, the Greatest of All Time @MuhammadAli!"
According to the UK Mirror, Ali is now on life support.
Two sources familiar with his condition told the Associated Press that Ali's problems may be more serious than his previous hospital stays.
They told the news agency Ali's health issue is being complicated by the Parkinson's he was diagnosed with in 1984.
Family spokesman Bob Gunnell said on Thursday the three-time former heavyweight champion was in a fair condition.
"A brief hospital stay is expected," said Mr Gunnell.
The Kentucky native was discharged from hospital in January last year after he was briefly treated for a severe urinary tract infection which was initially diagnosed as pneumonia.
Nicknamed The Greatest, Ali retired from boxing in 1981 with a 56-5 record.
The Olympic gold medallist was born in Louisville, Kentucky, as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, and changed his name in 1964 when he converted to Islam.
He has looked increasingly frail in public in recent years.
His last appearance was on 9 April at the annual Celebrity Fight Night dinner in Phoenix, which raises money for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.
Despite the disease, Ali has kept up a busy schedule until recently, although he has not spoken publicly for years.
Doctors have said the Parkinson's was likely to have been caused by the thousands of punches Ali took during his career.
At one point one of the most recognised people in the world, Ali has lived quietly in the Phoenix area with his fourth wife, Lonnie, whom he married in 1986.
Former boxer Sugar Ray Leonard tweeted: "Prayers & blessings to my idol, my friend & without question, the Greatest of All Time @MuhammadAli!"
Source - SkyNews
