BOXING icon Muhammad Ali is currently being treated in hospital after experiencing respiratory issues, a spokesperson for his family confirmed yesterday.
The legendary former three-time world heavyweight champion, now 74, is said to be in “fair condition,” though no other details, including where and when he was admitted, have been released.
“He is being treated by his team of doctors and is in fair condition,” Bob Gunnell said in a statement.
“A brief hospital stay is expected. At this time, the Muhammad Ali family respectfully requests privacy.”
After retiring from one of the greatest ever in-ring careers in 1981, Ali was later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
He has been hospitalised several times in recent years, including a couple of visits between late 2014 and early 2015 with a severe urinary tract infection, which was initially diagnosed as pneumonia.
Ali’s public appearances have become less frequent over the past few years, the most recent of which came in April when he attended a Celebrity Fight Night dinner near his home in Phoenix, Arizona.
Hearing that the greatest Muhammed Ali has been taken to hospital with breathing problems. Hoping that he’ll make a speedy recovery soon.
— Barry McGuigan (@ClonesCyclone) June 3, 2016
News of Ali’s hospitalisation has brought lots of messages of support from past and present boxers.
Prayers & blessings to my idol, my friend, & without question, the Greatest of All Time @MuhammadAli ! #GOAT
— Sugar Ray Leonard (@SugarRayLeonard) June 2, 2016
