{UAH} Allan/Edmund/Pojim/WBK: Muhammad Ali 'on life support' and his family is rushing to his bedside as legendary boxer's condition takes turn for the worse | Daily Mail Online

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3624328/Muhammad-Ali-life-support-family-rushing-bedside-legendary-boxer-s-condition-takes-turn-worse.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Muhammad Ali 'on life support' and his family is rushing to his bedside as legendary boxer's condition takes turn for the worse

By Chris Spargo For Dailymail.com and Associated Press19:14 03 Jun 2016, updated 20:48 03 Jun 2016

• Muhammad Ali is on life support as he deals with respiratory issues at an undisclosed Arizona hospital
• He was taken to a facility on Thursday after he began having difficulty breathing
• The legendary boxer's family is now rushing to be by his bedside 
• Veronica Porche said that her two daughters with Ali, Laila and Hana, were flying out to see their father on Friday 
• Ali's second wife, Khalilah, also said that one of her daughters was rushing off to see the boxer in the hospital on Friday  
• He has been hospitalized several times recently, including in January 2015 for a severe urinary tract infection initially diagnosed as pneumonia

Muhammad Ali has been placed on life support as his medical condition continues to worsen, while his family is now rushing to be by his bedside.

The legendary boxer, 74, has been hospitalized at an undisclosed facility since Thursday when he was discovered at his home 'barely breathing' according toRadar Online. 

'He had an unshakeable cough and they had to bring him to hospital and sedate him,' said a source. 

He has since been dealing with respiratory problems which are further complicated by his Parkinson's disease.  

'Doctors are telling the family that it likely won't be long until he passes away,' said one insider.

Another insider reported that his vitals 'are terrible,' adding; 'Ali is in dire straits and is rapidly deteriorating.

'His breathing has become very shallow, requiring tubes.' 

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Fighter: Muhammad Ali (above in 2011) is on life support as he deals with respiratory issues

Medical issues: Ali (above with wife Lonnie Wiliams in October) was taken to a facility on Thursday after he began having difficulty breathing

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

His third wife Veronica Porche also said in an interview on Friday that her two daughters with Ali, Laila and Hana, were on their way to see their father. 

'My daughters have both flown there and I will be hearing from them when they arrive at the hospital,' Porche told Radar Online.

'I can't comment more than that but I will say it is not so great, I'll just say that much. He's a real hero. It's a sad situation.'

Ali's second wife, Khalilah, also said that one of her daughters was rushing off to see the boxer in the hospital.

A source told Radar; 'The family feels that even if he somehow survives this setback, he'll be left in a vegetative state.

'He can't stand due to stiffness in the legs. Before this incident, he would sometimes freeze upon standing, like his feet are stuck to the ground. Now he cannot even do that.'

They then added; 'Doctors fear he's in the early stages of dementia. Or possibly beyond that.

'The family has gathered around him and is prepared for the worst.'

Ali's spokesman, Bob Gunnell, said in a statement on Thursday that the boxer was being treated for a respiratory issue at a hospital he would not name and refused to elaborate any further on the matter other than to say his client was in 'fair condition' and that the hospital stay would be brief.

'He is being treated by his team of doctors and is in fair condition,' said Gunnell. 

'A brief hospital stay is expected. At this time, the Muhammad Ali family respectfully requests privacy.' 

He then released another statement on Friday stating that there had been no change to Ali's condition.  

Laila Ali spoke about her father's health struggles in a March interview with People, saying; 'He's such a fighter, still, when at times he seems weak and not able to handle it.

'He comes through stronger than ever. He's still fighting regardless and I love my dad for that.'

Ali has been hospitalized several times in recent years, most recently in early 2015 when he was treated for a severe urinary tract infection initially diagnosed a month prior as pneumonia.

He has also been battling Parkinson's for decades now, and brought much awareness to the disease thanks to his high profile and willingness to share his very public struggle since being first diagnosed in the early 80s.

The boxer has looked increasingly frail during public appearances over the past few years, including one in April 9 where he wore sunglasses and was hunched over at the annual Celebrity Fight Night dinner in Phoenix, which raises funds for treatment of Parkinson's.

His last public appearance prior to that was in October of last year when he appeared at the Sports Illustrated Tribute to Muhammad Ali at The Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

He was joined by former opponents George Foreman and Larry Holmes at that event. 

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

Daddy's girls: Ali with his daughter's Laila (left) and Hana (right) at his birthday party in January

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on Jan. 17, 1942, Ali took up boxing at age 12, when his bike was stolen and he wanted to find and whip the culprit.

The boy was introduced to Joe Martin, a police officer who coached boxing at a local gym.

Ali's brother, 68-year-old Rahaman Ali, recalled on Saturday night that the champ was cheerful and happy as a youngster.

'As a little boy he (said) he would be the world's greatest fighter and be a great man,' he said.

Ali flourished in the ring, becoming a top amateur and Olympic gold medalist. 

He made his professional debut in Louisville and arranged for a local children's hospital to receive proceeds from the fight. 

His decision alienated Ali from many across the U.S. and resulted in a draft-evasion conviction.

Ali found himself embroiled in a long legal fight that ended in 1971, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in his favor.

Ali lost his first bid to regain the heavyweight crown when Frazier knocked him down and took a decision in the 'Fight of the Century' at Madison Square Garden in 1971.

Ali regained the heavyweight title in 1974, defeating Foreman in the 'Rumble in the Jungle.'

A year later, he outlasted Frazier in the epic Thrilla in Manila bout. 

Ali's last title came in 1978 when he defeated Leon Spinks.

Ali retired from boxing in 1981 and devoted himself to social causes.

He traveled the world on humanitarian missions, mingling with the masses and rubbing elbows with world leaders.

Ali received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush in 2005. 

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Muhammad Ali 'on life support' and his family is rushing to his bedside as legendary boxer's condition takes turn for the worse | Daily Mail Online

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3624328/Muhammad-Ali-life-support-family-rushing-bedside-legendary-boxer-s-condition-takes-turn-worse.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

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