Muhammad Ali Aling Reports Refuted by Daughter and Wife: 'He's Fine,' Says Daughter (PHOTO)
Muhammad Ali is doing fine and not ailing, according to his daughter and wife. Rumors that Ali was near death surfaced after an interview with Ali's brother Rahman.
"My brother can't speak – he doesn't recognize me. He's in a bad way. He's very sick. It could be months; it could be days. I don't know if he'll last the summer. He's in God's hands. We hope he gently passes away," Rahman Ali told The Sun U.K.
"He told me before he got really bad that he's in no pain. He grabbed my arm and whispered, 'Rah, I've achieved everything I've ever wanted to accomplish. Don't cry for me, I'm in no pain.' It's best he goes now. The longer he goes on, so does his suffering and misery," Rahman added.
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But Muhammad's wife and daughter have adamantly denied all of Rahman's claims.
"He's fine," his daughter May May told the Associated Press. "In fact, he was talking well this morning. These rumors pop up every once in a while but there's nothing to them," she added. May May then posted a picture of her father dressed in Baltimore Ravens gear, watching the Super Bowl.
Ali's health has always been in question since he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Yet Ali has defied the odds and done things most people with the illness have not. He lit the torch for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, surprising everyone by appearing in such a public way.
The 71-year-old icon became known as "The Greatest" due to his fierce boxing; he became famous for his saying: "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." Throughout his career, he fought in numerous high-profile battles including, perhaps, the most famous against "Smokin'" Joe Frazier.
Both were unbeaten when they battled in 1971; Frazier took home the win in that match, but in the next two matches, Ali took home the victory. "The Thrilla in Manila" is remembered as one of Ali's greatest matches of all time.
