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Report: Boxer Muhammad Ali gravely ill in Phoenix-area hospital

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<p>Muhammad Ali is in much graver condition than first thought, according to <a href="http://radaronline.com/celebrity-news/muhammad-ali-hospitalized-not-breathing-claims/" target="_blank">several</a> <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/muhammad-ali-life-support-family-8110536" target="_blank">reports</a>.</p><p>The boxing great was recently admitted to a Phoenix-area hospital with severe respiratory problems. At the time, his spokesperson <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/02/us/muhammad-ali-hospitalized-with-respiratory-issue/" target="_blank">told reporters</a> the hospital stay was expected to be brief.</p><p>But on Friday, several outlets said Ali's family had been called to his bedside as his condition continued to deteriorate. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3624328/Muhammad-Ali-life-support-family-rushing-bedside-legendary-boxer-s-condition-takes-turn-worse.html" target="_blank">The Daily Mail</a> reports Ali has been placed on life support.</p><p>The three-time heavyweight champion is a legendary figure both inside and out of the ring. Ali is known both for his famous bouts with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unpw2QHMDMs" target="_blank">Joe Frazier</a> and Sonny Liston, and for being stripped of his boxing license over his refusal to be drafted for the Vietnam War.</p><p>Ali was <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/22/sports/sports-people-ali-leaves-hospital-vowing-take-better-care-himself-get-more-sleep.html" target="_blank">diagnosed with Parkinson's disease</a> at the age of 42 and has been in fragile health recently. He was <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2015/01/15/muhammad-ali-hospitalized-with-urinary-tract-infection.html" target="_blank">previously hospitalized</a> in early 2015 with a urinary tract infection.</p><p><i>This video includes images from Getty Images and clips from </i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3e1CrvxsOo" target="_blank">KNXV</a></i><i>, </i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RGaoiDpASY" target="_blank">Al Jazeera</a></i><i> and </i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3r56hv3jCU" target="_blank">PBS</a></i><i>.</i></p>
Posted at 6:24 PM, Jun 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-03 20:34:03-04

Former boxing champ Muhammad Ali is said to be in "grave condition" in a Phoenix-area hospital Friday afternoon as the 74-year-old has been battling respiratory issues. 

NBC News was among the media outlets that confirmed Ali's condition. The 74-year-old Ali has been suffering from Parkinson's disease since 1984. Parkinson's has weakened Ali, and he has been rarely seen in public in the last year. 

His last public appearance was in September at a function at the University of Louisville. 

Ali, born Cassius Clay, is from Louisville, Ky., and has a cultural center in his name in the Kentucky city. 

Scripps affiliate ABC 15 in Phoenix confirmed that a medic was called to Ali's home on Tuesday. Reports of Ali's health became public Thursday, as his family said he was in the hospital for a brief stay. 

Ali is widely considered the greatest boxer in history. Ali compiled a 56-5 record as a heavyweight. He also had three separate stints as heavyweight champ. 

He was named by Sports Illustrated as the Sportsman of the 20th Century, and was awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in 2005. 

His career was not without controversy. Ali had his boxing license suspended for three years after objecting to serving the US military in the Vietnam War. Ali was sentenced and fined for draft dodging, but later had his conviction overturned after a Supreme Court ruling. 

Ali has nine children and a wife of 30 years. 

Copyright 2016 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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