'God came for his champion’: Tributes flood in for Muhammad Ali
There has been an outpouring of sympathy online following the death of boxing legend Muhammad Ali with fellow athletes, celebrities and fans alike mourning the loss of the former heavyweight champion.
BREAKING: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali dies at age 74 https://t.co/9Yd0N6DJS2pic.twitter.com/gNKxVnIU3L
— RT (@RT_com) June 4, 2016
After the 74-year-old passed away late Friday night, friend and “Rumble in the Jungle” rival George Foreman sent a series of tweets to say that “a part” of him had “slipped away” following Ali’s passing, “the greatest piece.”
Ali, Frazier & Foreman we were 1 guy a part of me slipped away "the greatest piece" Muhammad Ali.
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) June 4, 2016
It's been said it was Rope a dope, Ali beat me with no his beauty that beat me. Most beauty I've know loved him pic.twitter.com/G64WX3eyZC
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) June 4, 2016
Until Ali no one said "I'm beautiful" he was royalty, yet common man was his pal. That is beauty. Greatest kind pic.twitter.com/uX7htKHrGc
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) June 4, 2016
“God came for his champion,” fellow boxer Mike Tyson tweeted. “So long great one.”
God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli#TheGreatest#RIPpic.twitter.com/jhXyqOuabi
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) June 4, 2016
World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury said Ali was “the greatest of all times in many different ways,” while current middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin said he was “an inspiration to mankind.”
Rip the greatest of all times in many different ways. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
— #Gypsyking (@Tyson_Fury) June 4, 2016
The Greatest. In boxing and in life, an inspiration to mankind. https://t.co/lfgd3H2gaT
— Gennady Golovkin (@GGGBoxing) June 4, 2016
Many other boxers from around the world also paid their condolences, including the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Frank Bruno and Roy Jones Jr.
My heart is deeply saddened yet both appreciative and relieved that the greatest is now resting in the greatest place.
— Roy Jones Jr. (@RealRoyJonesJr) June 4, 2016
RIP @muhammadali, a legend who transcended sport and was a true champion for all. #thegreatest#MuhammadAlipic.twitter.com/vjmXlXaHip
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) June 4, 2016
Inspiration, Mentor, my Friend, an Earthly God of humanity, Simply #TheGreatest#RipMuhammadAli@MuhammadAli
— Frank Bruno MBE (@frankbrunoboxer) June 4, 2016
Muhammad Ali the all-time greatest has left us. Thanks for everything. Go with God.
— Team Maidana (@ChinoMaidana) June 4, 2016
It wasn’t just those involved in boxing though that took a moment to remember “the world's greatest.”
Mohammad Ali was the first athlete I was truly inspired by. He was a true champion and forever a legend. RIP Muhammad Ali.
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) June 4, 2016
Goodbye to the champion of champions. Rest in peace, Muhammad Ali. #TheGreatestpic.twitter.com/KzLcT8M5tQ
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) June 4, 2016
Greatest of All Time.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 4, 2016
Inspiration.
Legend.
Rest in Peace Champ.#Ali
God bless Muhammad Ali peace and love to all his family. 😎✌️🌟💖
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) June 4, 2016
The greatest has fought his final round. Muhammad Ali was the most magnificent athlete who transcended his sport. #RIP.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 4, 2016
In the world of politics too, many familiar faces emerged to pay tribute to Ali, including many related to the White House in some way, such as US President Barack Obama, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders.
He shook up the world, and the world's better for it. Rest in peace, Champ. pic.twitter.com/z1yM3sSLH3
— President Obama (@POTUS) June 4, 2016
Muhammad Ali is dead at 74! A truly great champion and a wonderful guy. He will be missed by all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2016
Muhammad Ali was the greatest, not only an extraordinary athlete but a man of great courage and humanity.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 4, 2016
British Prime Minister David Cameron described Ali as “not just a champion in the ring” but also “a champion of civil rights, and a role model for so many people.”
Muhammad Ali was not just a champion in the ring - he was a champion of civil rights, and a role model for so many people.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 4, 2016
Thousands of Ali’s fans around the world have also been showing their affection and adoration for him, some fondly recalling his famous “trash talking.”
Not just the greatest boxer of all time. The greatest trash talker EVER. RIP Ali ♡ #MuhammadAlihttps://t.co/QJ4EM88DDb
— abdul (@Advil) June 4, 2016
You know I’m bad. Just last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick. I’m so mean, I make medicine sick #MuhammadAli
— Neal Collins (@nealcol) June 4, 2016
"I'm so fast,hit the light switch,got into bed before the lights went out"!#MuhammadAli 😂😂😂x
— Louis Emerick (@thelouisemerick) June 4, 2016
"If you ever dream of beating me, you'd better wake up and apologise" #MuhammadAlipic.twitter.com/BR73pdiNTf
— Sophia Cannon (@SophiaCannon) June 4, 2016
Ali wasn’t one to shy away from controversy and people have been recalling his views on various topics, Others have also pointed out Ali’s views on a number of issues, including his views on race and war.
Muhammad Ali has passed away.
— Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) June 4, 2016
This is his legendary quote on why he refused to serve in the murderous Vietnam War. pic.twitter.com/9NNmWNztAI
Anti-racism, anti-war, master of the verbal jab, incredible athlete, icon of hope for the opressed. RIP Muhammad Ali pic.twitter.com/guSQQjexLb
— Zubair Sayed (@zubairsay) June 4, 2016
A child asked Muhammad Ali what he would do when he retired. His long, beautiful answer stunned the crowd.https://t.co/qAuYcJUmv1
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) June 3, 2016
The only Hollywood star mounted on a wall, because " Nobody walks all over #MuhammadAli " pic.twitter.com/3JyVdTW0rp
— Dave Foster Tips (@DaveFosterTips) June 4, 2016
While he may have been one of the most recognised sporting legends on the planet, there were still some who couldn’t quite place him, however.
LOL! Good thing the man died peacefully... Else she would have killed him with this tweet..... #MuhammadAli... pic.twitter.com/O6IU7TMfcZ
— MediaCrooks (@mediacrooks) June 4, 2016