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Heartfelt tributes paid to boxer Muhammad Ali at emotional memorial service

Thousands of people have said a final farewell to Muhammad Ali at a emotional memorial service in his home town of Louisville.

The 74-year-old heavy weight champion was hailed as "the living, breathing embodiment of the greatest we can be" and remembered for being "bigger, brighter and more original and influential than just about anyone of his era" as a packed audience gathered to pay their respects to the sporting legend.

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Rahman Ali pays glowing tribute to his brother Muhammad

Louisville mayor Bruce Hoblitzell (L) greets Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali (R) and brother Rudy Clay aka Rahman Ali (C) in 1960. Credit: USA TODAY

Muhammad Ali was an "angel" and a "god-sent blessing to this Earth", according to his brother, following the boxer's death at 74.

Rahman Ali, who is also a heavyweight boxer, said Ali was a "sweet, kind, nice" man who "was the world's most famous person".

Speaking to the BBC, he said: "There was nobody on this Earth more famous than Muhammad Ali, he was known in every country. God blessed him because he was such a sweet person.

"My mother and father were sweet, good people, and he came from good stock. He was a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful man, he will be missed.

"There will never be another Muhammad Ali," he added.

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Heartfelt tributes paid to boxer Muhammad Ali at emotional memorial service

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