Former President Bill Clinton will be among those eulogizing late boxing legend Muhammad Ali Friday at a service in Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
“We watched him grow from the brash self-confidence of youth and success into a manhood full of religious and political convictions that led him to make tough choices and live with the consequences,” Bill and Hillary Clinton said in a joint statement on Ali’s passing.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama also released a statement saying Ali “shook up the world.”
“And the world is better for it. We are all better for it. Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family, and we pray that the greatest fighter of them all finally rests in peace,” the statement reads.
Clinton joins a list of famous names eulogizing the former heavyweight champ. Comedian Billy Crystal and longtime sportscaster Bryant Gumbel will deliver remarks at Ali’s service.
Ali died late Friday night at age 74 as a result of septic shock. The public memorial will be held at the Yum Center, where Ali began his amateur boxing career as a 12-year-old.
