BOXING legends are today paying tribute and mourning the loss of "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali.
RIP: Muhammad Ali has died of breathing problems aged 74
British Gold medallist boxer Anthony Joshua described him as "the greatest" and an "inspiration".
Twelve times world champion Floyd Mayweather described the 74-year-old – who died of breathing problems in hospital late on Friday night – as his “hero”.
Brit boxer Tyson Fury said Ali was the "greatest of all times".
Mike Tyson – who was the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles – said: “God came for his champion.”
Ali's appeal went far beyond boxing and even sport.
Prime Minister David Cameron praised him for being a champion of civil rights.
Football presenter Gary Lineker said the three times world champion was the “most magnificent athlete,” who transcended sport.
Twelve times world champion Mayweather described the 74-year-old – who died of breathing problems in hospital late on Friday night – as his “hero”.
Tyson – who was the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles – said: “God came for his champion.”
Brit boxer Tyson Fury said Ali was the "greatest of all times".
Ali's appeal went far beyond boxing and even sport.
Football presenter Gary Lineker said the three times world champion was the “most magnificent athlete,” who transcended sport.
LEGEND: Ali remained a fighter until the end
God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli#TheGreatest #RIPpic.twitter.com/jhXyqOuabi
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) June 4, 2016
Rip the greatest of all times in many different ways. ������������������������
— #Gypsyking (@Tyson_Fury) June 4, 2016
Four-time world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield said: "I'm glad to have known Ali because when I was a kid, at eight years old, I was told I would be like Ali.
"To take it upon yourself and say; 'I'm the greatest', you put yourself in a position for people to take pot shots at you – this is what Ali did.
"It's amazing, him becoming three-time heavyweight champion of the world.
"At that time people thought, 'Who could beat three?
"You have to be stronger to get up from a loss to go on and that's what Ali proved to be."
PALS: Evander Holyfield and Muhammad Ali
George Foreman, who lost to Ali in the 1974 world championship fight, The Rumble in the Jungle, said that there was no question that Ali was the greatest.
He said: ”He is one of those special people.
"He was one of those things you see maybe only once in a lifetime. Like a total eclipse.
"You are not going to see anything like that again. Boxing doesn’t do enough to define what he was.
"He was the greatest personality that sports has ever seen, or ever will see. He was the greatest personality ever.
"He had everything – charisma, charm, looks and great athletic ability – and you hated him because the guy was handsome.
“You thought 'If I could just mess his face up a little', but you couldn’t get near him in that ring.”
RUMBLE ON: Ali with George ForemanRalph Ali, Frazier & Foreman we were 1 guy. A part of me slipped away, "The greatest piece" https://t.co/xVKOc9qtub
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman)June 4, 2016
Don King – who promoted some of Ali's biggest fights – said it was a "sad day".
He said: "It's a sad day for life, man.
"I loved Muhammad Ali, he was my friend.
"Ali will never die.
"Like Martin Luther King his spirit will live on, he stood for the world."
THE KING IS DEAD: Muhammad Ali and Don KingRIP @muhammadali, a legend who transcended sport and was a true champion for all. #thegreatest#MuhammadAlipic.twitter.com/vjmXlXaHip
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) June 4, 2016
A true great has left us. @MuhammadAlitransformed this country and impacted the world with his spirit.pic.twitter.com/ByNZYhM2ro
— Bob Arum (@BobArum) June 4, 2016
British former undisputed world champion Lennox Lewis told the Daily Telegraph: "Muhammad Ali inspired me to chase my dreams in and out of the ring.
"He meant a great deal to me.
"I kind of fashioned my whole career after him.
"Watching him on television as a youngster really did something to me.
"I loved his flashiness, I loved what he stood for – like going against America in the Vietnam War.
"I loved the fact that he always had helpful advice, was a nice man that he was very religious, that he wanted to help people."
INSPIRATION: Lennox Lewis was inspired by AliThe greatest has fought his final round. Muhammad Ali was the most magnificent athlete who transcended his sport. #RIP.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 4, 2016
Republican candidate for US president Donald Trump tweeted that Ali was a "great champion and wonderful guy".
Ironically, Ali issued a strongly-worded statement condemning Trump's call for a ban on people of the Islamic entering the US in December.
Muhammad Ali is dead at 74! A truly great champion and a wonderful guy. He will be missed by all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2016
A statement on behalf of the Ali family said they "would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support" and asked for privacy.
The funeral will take place in Ali's home town of Louisville, Kentucky.
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