Thousands of mourners pay final respects to Muhammad Ali

World Today

Legions of people who turned out to say one last goodbye to Muhammad Ali, adorned the hearse with flowers. 

CCTV America’s Sean Callebs reports from Louisville. 

Thousands of people lined the procession route, making its way past all the Louisville landmarks, like the pink house on Grand Avenue where Ali spent his childhood there. They meant much to Ali.

It was more a celebration of life, than a somber occasion for people like Debra Anderson who grew up in Louisville.

Ali’s spirit of goodwill, and charity toward others were on display outside Louisville’s largest sports arena. 15000 tickets were printed for Ali’s memorial service.


Ali’s major impact on Kenya’s boxing scene

The “Rumble in the Jungle” was Muhammad Ali’s most memorable trip to Africa. However, he made an impact across the continent. One former boxer in Nairobi was among the few who fought Ali and knocked him down.

CCTV’s Celestine Karoney has the story.

Just like Muhammad Ali, Mohammed Abdallah Kent was born a Christian but converted.

“He made me change my name and my style of boxing he was my champion,” Kent said, “I have only cried twice in my life when my mother passed on and this time for Ali because I was recalling what he did for me and my daughter.”

They met in 1980 when Ali visited Nairobi.

When Ali visited Kenya, boxing was a flourishing sport. When Kent was mourning the loss of one of the world’s greatest boxers, he was also grieving at how low the standards of the sport have fallen in the country already.

“Our government should have the system we had back then where boxing offered employment. Boxers need money a form of employment but today they have nothing,” said 63 years old Kent, who is currently living in a poor suburb after falling on hard times.

Although Muhammad Ali has thrown his final punch, his memory will be long cherished by millions.