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Muhammad Ali was rushed to hospital after suffering respiratory problems
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Boxing legend ‘nearing end’ as family prepare for the worst
MUHAMMAD ALI is taking on his biggest fight yet after being placed on a life-support machine. Four
of the 74-year-old’s nine children have rushed to his bedside, with
medics apparently telling them they fear he “is near the end.”
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| Muhammad Ali in action against Joe Frazier in Manila in 1975
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The
boxing
legend was rushed to a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona on Thursday
after he suffered breathing problems, complicated by the Parkinson’s
disease which he was diagnosed with in the 1980s.
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| Muhammad Ali has been suffering from Parkinson's disease after being diagnosed in 1984 |
According to a report from
RadarOnline,
the former boxing world champ’s vital organs are “terrible” and he is
currently relying on medical help to continue breathing. There were allegedly discussions over transporting Ali to another hospital in Phoenix.
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| Iconic Muhammad Ali is the biggest sporting hero of the 20th century
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But doctors called off the move after deciding that it “potentially could be deadly.” The insider said: “Doctors are telling the family that it likely won’t be long until he passes away. "He needs every bit of fight he’s got left to survive.”
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| Muhammad Ali floored Al 'Blue' Lewis in Dublin in 1972
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Yesterday a statement from his family spokesman revealed 'The Greatest' was expected to stay in care for a "brief" time. Bob
Gunnell said: "Ali, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, is being
treated by his team of doctors and is in fair condition.
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| Muhammad Ali was admitted to hospital with respiratory condition
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"A brief hospital stay is expected. At this time, the Muhammad Ali family respectfully requests privacy."
Ali was last seen in public in April at a Celebrity Fight Night charity event in Phoenix, Arizona, US.
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| Muhammad Ali was one of boxing's greatest ever PR men as well as fighters - dropping the press lines they would eat up
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He
has been hospitalised several times in recent years and was too ill to
visit London earlier this year after the opening of his ‘I am the
Greatest’ exhibition at the O2.
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| Muhammad Ali training for his second fight against Joe Fraizer in Pennsylvania in 1974
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The three-time heavyweight
champ was taken to hospital in January last year after he was found in
an "unresponsive state" by guests at his home.
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| Muhammad Ali at a Team USA Olympic benefit event ahead of the 2012 Games
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He has looked
increasingly weak in public appearances and wore sunglasses on April 9
and appeared uncomfortable at the annual Celebrity Fight Night dinner
in Phoenix, which raises funds for treatment of Parkinson's.
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Muhammad Ali with American civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr in 1967
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His
previous formal public appearance before that was in October when he
appeared at the 'Sports Illustrated Tribute to Muhammad Ali' at The
Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, along
with former opponents George Foreman and Larry Holmes.
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| Muhammad Ali lit the torch at opening ceremony of the Atlanta Olympics in 1996
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Ali has suffered from Parkinson's for three decades, famously trembling while lighting the Olympic torch in 1996 in Atlanta.
Doctors have frequently said the Parkinson's likely was caused by the
thousands of punches Ali took during a career in which he travelled
the world for big fights.
Ali was crowned "Sportsman of the
Century" by Sports Illustrated and "Sports Personality of the Century"
by the BBC, after his iconic status helped him transcend boxing. Ali has been living quietly with his fourth wife, Lonnie, who he married in 1986.
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