Muhammad Ali 'knocks out' worldwide twitter trends, tributes pour in

Muhammad Ali, the legendary heavyweight boxing champion who passed away at age 74, has had social media buzzing, especially the micro blogging platform twitter.

The last post on his official twitter handle @MuhammadAli just had his name, accompanied by a picture of a much smiling young Ali with his birth to death years, 1942 – 2016.

pic.twitter.com/Jr5HcJRmeA

— Muhammad Ali (@MuhammadAli) June 4, 2016

At a point on global twitter trends, all top 10 interactions bordered on the passing of the boxer who was earlier reported to have been hospitalized following a respiratory problem.

The trends included #MuhammadAli, #TheGreatest, RIP Muhammad Ali, #Legend, #RIPAli, Cassius Clay, #RIPChamp, #GOAT as well as an Arabic and Chinese trend.

The death of #MuhammadAli dominates Twitter in several languages #RIPMuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/Vlwv5ZLfBf

— africanews (@africanews) June 4, 2016

The world of boxing and sports in general has been tweeting with respect to the death of Ali, who is said to have battled with Parkinson disease for over three decades.

Floyd Mayweather Junior tweeted an instagram message saying, “Today my heart goes out to a pioneer, a true legend, and a hero by all means! Not a day went by entering the gym that I didn’t think of you. Your charisma, your charm and above all, your class are all of the elements that will be greatly missed by myself and the world.

You are someone that inspired me greatly throughout my boxing journey and words cannot express how great you were as a person! Thank you for everything you’ve done for Black America, in the the world of sports & entertainment and for the legacy you leave behind! My sincerest condolences to the Ali family!” the former American boxer and current boxing promoter stated.

Today my heart goes out to a pioneer, a true legend, and a hero by all means! Not a day went by… https://t.co/LKl0gI4inf

— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) June 4, 2016

Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino boxing great also tweeted his condolences, “We lost a giant today. You will always be GOAT. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Ali family. May God bless them.’‘

We lost a giant today. You will always be GOAT. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Ali family. May God bless them. pic.twitter.com/g7s6GETODG

— Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) June 4, 2016

UK’s former unified WBA and IBF light-welterweight champion, currently holding the WBC Silver welterweight title, Amir Khan was also not left out, describing Ali as “The Greatest Of All Time.”

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

— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) June 4, 2016

Former boxer and now boxing promoter of Golden Boy promotions, Oscar De La Hoya, tweeted thus, “RIP @muhammadali, a legend who transcended sport and was a true champion for all. #thegreatest #MuhammadAli.”

RIP muhammadali, a legend who transcended sport and was a true champion for all. #thegreatest #MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/vjmXlXaHip

— Oscar De La Hoya (OscarDeLaHoya) June 4, 2016

About Muhammad Ali

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Ali shot to fame by winning light-heavyweight gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

Nicknamed “The Greatest”, the American beat Sonny Liston in 1964 to win his first world title and became the first boxer to capture a world heavyweight title on three separate occasions. He eventually retired in 1981, having won 56 of his 61 fights.

In subsequent years, he remained a much-admired sports icon. Sports Illustrated named him “Sportsman of the Century” in 1999, and the BBC named him “Sports Personality of the Century” that same year.

RIP, Muhammad Ali. Here's SI's cover remembering The Greatest pic.twitter.com/Qv63cBPM3M

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 4, 2016

In 2005, President George W. Bush awarded Ali the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. civilian honor, and he was named a flag bearer for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.