Thousands pay prayerful tribute to boxing great Muhammad Ali at his Louisville hometown at his funeral
Louisville (Kentucky): A mass funeral procession for Muhammad Ali yesterday in his hometown Louisville, with a hearse carrying the boxing legend’s remains heading into the streets where thousands gathered to say goodbye. Spectators carried signs and flowers, and some even chanted the name of the three-time heavyweight world champion, who died last week at the age of 74 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
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A fan holds a photograph of boxing legend Muhammad Ali as spectators wait for the arrival of Ali’s funeral procession to enter Cave Hill Cemetery, Kentucky yesterday. PICS: AP/PTI, AFP
The procession started at about 10:30 am, roughly an hour behind schedule.
Actress and former wife of Ali, Veronica Porche attends his Jenazah service
The cortege will pass by sites that were important to “The Greatest”: his childhood home, the Ali Center, the Center for African American Heritage — which focuses on the lives of blacks in Kentucky — and, of course, along Ali Boulevard before arriving at the Cave Hill Cemetery for a hero’s burial.
Ali’s daughter, Laila during the Jenazah prayer service on Thursday
A fan watches a Muhammad Ali slide show in Kentucky yesterday
Pallbearers escort the casket of Ali during the Jenazah prayer service at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky on Thursday