REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PHOENIX -- Muhammad Ali, the legendary American boxer who proclaimed himself "The Greatest" and was among the most famous and beloved athletes on the planet, died Friday (3/5) in Phoenix, US, a family spokesman said.

Ali had been at a hospital since Thursday with what spokesman Bob Gunnell had described as a respiratory issue.

"After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening," Gunnell said in a statement. "The Ali family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support and asks for privacy at this time."

A tweet on Ali's official page posted a photo of the boxer and said simply, "Muhammad Ali. 1942-2016."

Don King, the boxing promoter who was every bit as brash as Ali, told CNN that in his mind Ali will never die.

"His spirit will go on forever," he said. "He's just a great human being, a champion of the people, the greatest of all time."

Even as the former champ battled Parkinson's, he had the same love for life and people, King said as reported by CNN.

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