Today
Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali has been hospitalized with a respiratory problem.
The retired athlete’s representatives issued the statement below.
“Heavyweight-boxing legend Muhammad Ali has been hospitalized and is being treated for a respiratory issue.
Ali, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, is being treated by his team of doctors and is in fair condition. A brief hospital stay is expected.
At this time, the Muhammad Ali family respectfully requests privacy.”
According to NBC, Ali was hospitalized for several days in December 2014 and January 2015. The cause was initially thought to be mild pneumonia but it turned out to be a severe urinary tract infection.
At the time, his daughter and former professional boxer Laila Ali thanked fans for their support on Twitter saying, “thanks for all the well wishes and prayers for my father. He is doing well~Y’all know he is a fighter! WE APPRECIATE ALL THE LOVE!”
History reports the athlete won the heavyweight title three times and is an Olympic gold medalist. He won 56 of 61 matches in his 21-year career before he retired in 1981.
The 74-year-old has been battling Parkinson’s disease since 1984. Despite how his disease has affected his motor skills and speech, Ali – who was born Cassius Clay Jr. – has remained a staunch humanitarian and philanthropist.
