1942 - 2016

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Muhammad Ali's hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, today paid its deepest respects to its fallen son - and the most iconic sportsman of all time.

The self-proclaimed 'Greatest' died aged 74 overnight following a 32-year-long battle with Parkinson's disease.

The legendary fighter died with his family at his side on Friday evening, a day after he was rushed to hospital outside Phoenix, Arizona, with difficulty breathing.

'After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died.

Ali died aged 74, a day after he was rushed to hospital with difficulty breathing and 32 years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Ali (above with wife Lonnie Williams in 2015) was taken to a hospital on Thursday after he began having difficulty breathing.

Ali poses with some of his seven daughters and two sons (above) at his most recent birthday party in January of this year.

Ali with his daughter's Laila (left) and Hana (right) at his birthday party in January, 2016.

Ali (left) as a young boy with his brother Rahman in Kentucky in 1946, and posing after winning the heavyweight championship belt on Sept. 18 1964.

A 12 year old Muhammad Ali when he was known as Cassius Clay.

Ali having some fun with The Beatles - 1964

Muhammad Ali is photographed with his first wife Sonji Roi in August of 1964.

Ali stands over fallen challenger Sonny Liston, shouting and gesturing shortly after dropping Liston in a 1965 fight.

Ali is pictured greeting the waiting fans and photographers outside his hotel in London prior to his 1966 fight with Cooper.

Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, predicts he will win in the fifth round before his fight with Henry Cooper at Wembley in 1966.

Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, in 1966 at the weigh in for his fight with British boxer Henry Cooper.

Ali and Cooper during their bout for the World Heavyweight title in 1966. The fight was stopped in the sixth round due to a cut above Cooper's left eye.

Ali with Martin Luther King in 1967. As well as a boxer, Ali is seen as an important figure in the US Civil Rights movement.

Ali after a training session in 1970. The three-time heavyweight champion had been on life support in hospital, after he was found 'barely breathing' at his home on Thursday.

Ali with his trainer Angelo Dundee ahead of his fight with Ernie Terrell at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, in February 1967.

Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier battling it out in 1971 in what went down in history as the 'Fight of the Century'.

Muhammad Ali connects with a right in the 9th round to send sweat flying from Joe Frazier's forehead.

Muhammad Ali is photographed with basketball player Elgin Baylor, boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson, and football star O. J. Simpson in January of 1971.

Ali engages in friendly banter with O.J. Simpson in January of 1971.

Ali is photographed with fellow boxer Ken Norton during the time of their anticipated fight in March of 1973.

Ali prowls the ring after putting George Foreman down in round eight of the Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire in 1974.

Ali stands above a flattened George Foreman as referee Zack Clayton counts the fallen giant out.

Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world.

A playful Ali spots waiting fans as he arrives at Heathrow airport in London in November, 1974.

Muhammad Ali spends some quality time with his daughter Maryum in 1974.

Ali receives a friendly jab from music sensation Stevie Wonder during Ali's television show taping in 1975.

Ali, pictured with his 3rd wife Veronica and daughter, Hana.

Muhammad Ali is photographed taking time away from the ring to delight in cuddling and playing with daughter, baby Hana.

Ali with his daughter Hana in 1977. She is now an accomplished author and today described her father as a 'humble mountain'.

Muhammad Ali shows guests, including Sugar Ray Robinson, a magic trick during an outdoor party at the Los Angeles home of trainer Drew Bundini Brown in 1981.

Ali is given the Courage Award by singer Whitney Houston at the GQ Man of the Year awards show in New York in 1998.

Mohammad Ali lights the first Olympic torch for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta in 2001.

Ali shakes hands with his old rival Joe Frazier at a basketball match in Philadelphia in 2004.

Ali with his wife Lonnie before the start of his daughter Laila's super-middleweight fight in Berlin in 2005.

Proud Ali stops for a photograph after watching his daughter Laila win a Super Middleweight title.

Ali began to retreat from the public eye after he was presented with the Presidential Medal of - in 2005 (pictured).

The boxing great waves to the crowd during the opening ceremony of the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in September 2010.

Ali waves alongside his wife Lonnie left, and his sister-in-law Marilyn Williams, right, after receiving the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia in 2012.