Muhammad Ali funeral: Will Smith and Lennox Lewis named as pallbearers
WILL SMITH and Lennox Lewis have been named as pallbearers at Muhammad Ali's funeral, which will take place on Friday.
Will Smith and Lennox Lewis have been named as pallbearers for Muhammad Ali's funeral
The actor, who portrayed the boxer in the 2001 film about his life, and heavyweight boxing champion Lennox will be among the 15,000 people who are expected to attend the funeral service in Louisville.
A spokesman for the Ali family confirmed his cousins John Grady, Jan Wadell, Jerry Ellis, nephew Ibn Ali, former brother-in-law Kowali Ali, boxer Jimmy Ellis and family friend John Ramsay will also be pallbearers.
Ali, a three-time world heavyweight champion, died in hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, last Friday at the age of 74.
His funeral will be held at 2pm at the KFC Yum! Centre in Louisville and will be open to the public.
Will Smith will play a part in the boxer's funeral service
Lennox Lewis will also act as a pallbearer for the heavyweight champion
Those who are unable to attend will be able to watch the service online.
It will be preceded by a Jenazah - an Islamic funeral prayer programme - which will also be open to the public at the Freedom Hall, where Ali made his professional debut with a victory over Tunney Hunsaker in 1960.
Speaking about the service, family spokesman Bob Gunnell said: "Everything that we're doing here was blessed by Muhammad Ali, and was requested.
Muhammad Ali passed away in hospital on Friday at the age of 74
Louisville prepares for Muhammad Ali’s funeral
His funeral will be open to the public in Louisville
"He wanted the memorial service to reflect his life, and how he lived. He wanted everyone to be able to attend. He was the people's champ, and he wanted the memorial service to reflect that."
He continued: "We want this to be inclusive of everyone. That's why we set Freedom Hall - not just with its historical significance - but with the size of Freedom Hall, so that everyone fits in.
"That Muslims and people of all faiths could attend, and perhaps leaner more and be like Muhammad Ali, and open their hearts to everybody.
"This is not a political statement, this is not about politics, this is about how Muhammad Ali lived his life."