King, Jordanians pay tribute to boxing icon Muhammad Ali

AMMAN — Jordanians on Saturday paid tribute to boxing legend Muhammad Ali who died on Friday at the age of 74.

In a post on the official Twitter and Facebook accounts of the Royal Court, His Majesty King Abdullah described Ali as "a great unifying champion whose punches transcended borders and nations". 

“[Muhammad] Ali Clay was the hero of a generation and a legend of our time. He fought hard, not only in the ring, but in life for his fellow citizens and for civil rights,” the King said.

In the tweet and the statement on Facebook, the Royal Court posted an undated photo of His Majesty the late King Hussein and Clay.

Ali, who was born as Cassius Clay, has been described as boxing’s greatest and a social justice campaigner. 

He passed away a day after being admitted to hospital with a respiratory condition. Ali had suffered from Parkinson’s disease for over 30 years.

Many Jordanians joined King Abdullah in paying homage to the celebrated former world heavyweight champion on social media, with photos of him swamping Facebook and Twitter.

Eman Alsheikh wrote on Facebook that the world has lost a true legend and icon in boxing. “He was a fighter in life, as well as for his career. He seemed to always stay positive when it came to his illness and his hardships.” 

"Boxing rings will never see a champion like Ali," Adel Amin wrote on his Facebook page, posting an iconic photo of Ali's fight against George Foreman in 1974, showing Foreman lying on the ground after being punched by Ali. 

Ali won that legendary fight with a knock out in the eighth round. 

Mohammad Akif wrote that a legend has died. "Rest in peace Ali."

Many people tweeted popular quotations attributed to Ali.

Haba Shaaban (@hebash11) tweeted: "A man who has no imagination has no wings."

Tributes to Ali also poured in from across the world, with homage paid by politicians, sportspeople and celebrities. 

According to The Associated Press, US President Barack Obama said on Saturday that Ali "shook up the world and the world is better for it".

Obama likened Ali to other civil rights leaders of his era, and said the boxer stood with Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela in fighting for what was right. 

Ali defied the military draft at the height of the Vietnam war and lost three-and-a-half years from the prime of his career. 

His fight outside the ring would cost him his title and his public standing, but he stood his ground, Obama noted.