‘True champion and legend forever’: Who said what about Muhammad Ali’s demise

He was hospitalized in Phoenix with respiratory problems earlier this week, and his family gathered around him. He died Friday night, according to a statement from the family.

Muhammad Ali proclaimed himself as “The greatest,”. Few would disagree.

As soon as the news of the boxer’s death started doing the rounds, renowned figures from different walks of life started paying their tributes to Ali through tweets.

Here are some of them.

My hero since childhood. I always had a wish to meet you some day but now it will never happen. RIP “The Greatest” pic.twitter.com/Yj6za7GwUe

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) 4 June 2016

Unsurprisingly, he said it best himself. #MuhammedAli pic.twitter.com/G1BykvvzfF

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) 4 June 2016

RIP. The Greatest Of All Time. #MuhammedAli pic.twitter.com/m3zKroLHK7

— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) 4 June 2016

Sad to wake up and hear the passing of the great Muhammad Ali. What a champion, this is one of…

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) 4 June 2016

Who threw it better?
Inspirational men who fought for many, legends! Let’s not disappoint them! #inspire
RIP pic.twitter.com/7vsupvPQSa

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) 4 June 2016

The Greatest Of All Time “GOAT” the Champion of all Champions #GoneButNeverForgotten #RIPMuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/PFuvdtedGt

— Darren Sammy (@darrensammy88) 4 June 2016

Your hands cant hit what your eyes cant see.. Maybe thats why chess is boxing of the mind#MuhammadAli

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) 4 June 2016

God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli #TheGreatest #RIP pic.twitter.com/jhXyqOuabi

— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) 4 June 2016

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement regarding the passing of Muhammad Ali pic.twitter.com/IJA2prCNO6

— NBA (@NBA) June 4, 2016

What a man…. rest in peace Muhammad Ali pic.twitter.com/tRkPypFw5C

— Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) June 4, 2016

A lot of people want to be badass. Muhammad Ali WAS badass. Safe travels.

— Bruce Campbell (@GroovyBruce) June 4, 2016

“The Greatest” made such an impact on the entire world #RIPMuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/LECBjQgfJA

— John Cena (@JohnCena) June 4, 2016

When people ask who inspired me to do what I do, I always mention Muhammad Ali first because he… https://t.co/7GWS9TJmKg

— F Gary Gray (@FGaryGray) June 4, 2016

Great Muhammad Ali was not only a shining example of impeccable sporting talent but he was also an exceptionally principled person.
— ShivrajSingh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) June 4, 2016

Shocked to hear about Muhammad Ali’s death ! One of the greatest sportsman of all time a legendary boxer , may his soul rest in peace

— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) June 4, 2016

Farewell, Muhammad Ali.. You impacted the world & did it your way. Rest in glory. pic.twitter.com/D7cXCL8prh

— #Broken Matt Hardy (@MATTHARDYBRAND) June 4, 2016

The Greatest passes on. Muhammad Ali RIP pic.twitter.com/S5K6KcCC1V

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 4, 2016

There will never be anyone like him. Simply “The Greatest Of All Time.” God Rest your soul Muhammad Ali #FloatLikeAButterflyStingLikeABee

— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) June 4, 2016

On the @SportsCenter set in LA to talk about the passing of Muhammad Ali in a bit. #RIP pic.twitter.com/8zCBVB2YvG

— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) June 4, 2016

RIP Muhammad Ali – an incredible athlete, an extraordinary showman; a man who changed the world. pic.twitter.com/ez1F8qDqmm

— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) June 4, 2016

The Muhammad Ali, The Greatest Ever — for all the right reasons — R.I.P. There’s never been anyone like you; never will be.#GodBlessYou

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 4, 2016

Manny Pacquiao releases a statement on the passing of Muhammad Ali. pic.twitter.com/hRa2kM3CLr

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 4, 2016

He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life – Muhammad Ali #RIP pic.twitter.com/ufc0NYLlRs

— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) June 4, 2016

One of the greatest joys of my life, introducing my dad to our hero, @MuhammadAli #GOAT pic.twitter.com/PLzoDP94nE

— Tavis Smiley (@tavissmiley) June 4, 2016

We lost a great humanitarian love you Ali #MuhammadAli #ripmuhammadali

— Truck Gordon (@TruckMMA_UFC) June 4, 2016

Sad news about the Muhammad Ali. Nobody enjoyed life like you. RIP #GOAT

— Todd Frazier (@FlavaFraz21) June 4, 2016

Perhaps one of the greatest sportsman Muhammad Ali is no more. RIP

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) June 4, 2016

Crushed! @MuhammadAli was the 1st sportsman I was told about by @SrBachchan. He was inspirational and an idol.

— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) June 4, 2016

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

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” Rest in peace #MuhammadAli

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 4, 2016

Really really sad news about the passing away of Muhammad Ali, Absolute legend. #RIPMuhammadAli

— Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) 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

Prayers for my original hero: Muhammad Ali. ‘If you even dream of beating me, you’d better wake up and apologise!’ The Greatest!

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) June 4, 2016