Will Smith to be pallbearer for Muhammad Ali's funeral

Actor Will Smith and former professional boxer Lennox Lewis have been named as pallbearers at late boxing legend Muhammad Ali's funeral, which will take place on Friday.

Smith, who portrayed the boxer in the 2001 film about his life called "Ali", and Lennox will be among the 15,000 people who are expected to attend the funeral service in Louisville, reports express.co.uk.

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, on June 3. He was 74.

His funeral at the KFC Yum! Centre in Louisville, will be open to the public. Those who 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 are doing here was blessed by Muhammad Ali, and was requested.

"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."

--IANS

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