Thousands Mourn Ali During Funeral Procession In Louisville

Those who were still numb to the news of Muhammad Ali’s passing were forced to come to grips with reality today as the 19-mile funeral procession began in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

Thousands lined the streets of Louisville as the convoy for Ali’s procession, including the Cadillac hearse carrying his body, rolled past as some on-lookers chanted his name,  some exclaimed “The Champ is here,” and others hollered “Ali bomaye,” a reference to his epic fight with George Foreman in Zaire dubbed “The Rumble in the Jungle.”

ALI HIGHLIGHT REEL

‘The Greatest’ will be laid to rest today at Cave Hill Cemetery in a private ceremony immediately following the procession, which is expected to last approximately 90 minutes.

Ali’s motorcade has already made stops at landmarks of his life, including Muhammad Ali Center, dedicated to his name in 1978, sitting on Muhammad Ali Boulevard. Outside the arena a makeshift memorial swells, with flowers, pictures, signs and memorabilia, including a framed copy of Sports Illustrated with Ali on the cover.

His wife, two ex-wives and nine children are all participants within the motorcade.

After struggling with Parkinson’s disease, and other various ailments, over the last 20 years, Ali passed away in the late evening hours of June 3.

An outpouring of grief followed, with heads of state, celebrities, athletes and icons waxing poetic on Ali’s influence on the sport of boxing, social reform and culture around the world.

The event reads more like a celebration of Ali’s life and accomplishments, than that of a mourning process. Tears stream down the faces of on-lookers, but more so in celebration of their champion’s return to his hometown, a city where he won six Golden Gloves titles before entering the Olympics at age 18.

Young and old remember Ali today with the hope that his memory will not fade with time.

He was the, single-most influential figure in the history of sports.

Article by Kevin Xavier