Pair make voyage to Muhammad Ali's funeral

Adam Shabbir, left, and Murad Qureshi are paying their respects to Muhammad Ali Credit: David Mercer/PA Wire

A pair of Londoners have made the 4,000-mile trip to pay their respects to boxing great Muhammad Ali.

Murad Qureshi and his brother-in-law Adam Shabbir are in Ali’s home town of Louisville, Kentucky to say farewell to the sporting icon.

Up to 15,000 people are expected to attend a funeral service there today, with thousands more lining the streets.

Former London Assembly member Mr Qureshi described Ali as "one of the most outstanding individuals I'm likely to see in my lifetime".

Muhammad Ali died last week aged 74 Credit: PA

Another Londoner, Abi Ajram, 48, was at the Islamic prayer service - known as a Jenazah - held on Thursday for Ali at Louisville's Freedom Hall, where Ali made his professional debut.

The boxer’s funeral is being screened at The O2 from 7pm, where the I Am The Greatest exhibition celebrating his life currently is.

Stratford-born Lennox Lewis, former heavyweight champion, will carry Ali’s coffin at the funeral.