Eulogised on his death as a hero, it is easy to forget how reviled Ali once was in his homeland Neal Gabler

Thousands of people of all races and creeds gathered for a Muslim funeral service in Muhammad Ali’s hometown in Kentucky to pay their respects to a man who fought in the ring and sought peace outside it.

Actor Will Smith and former world heavyweight boxing champion, Lennox Lewis, will be pallbearers at legendary boxer Muhammad Ali’s funeral.

Ayumu Goramaru survived one Japanese earthquake four weeks before his international debut ten years ago and another four days afterwards. It taught him all about seismic shifts and the Richter Scale which measured the first at 6.6, the second at 5.8.

THE Corinthian view of sport, one that imagined it a test of courage, skill and honour, may seem hopelessly, pathetically romantic today.

Floyd Mayweather Sr remembers the moment he discovered his son had a feel for the family business.

Last week, your columnist rolled north on the iron horse to visit the Business of Sports Science conference in the RDS, and a rewarding trip it was, writes Michael Moynihan.

Muhammad Ali’s personal doctor has revealed he cannot be sure that boxing contributed to the former heavyweight world champion’s Parkinson’s Disease.

Muhammad Ali’s personal doctor has revealed he cannot be sure that boxing contributed to the former heavyweight world champion’s Parkinson’s Disease.

Having heard fellow columnist Derval O’Rourke sing the praises of David Epstein’s The Sports Gene, nothing would do me but to track the man down for a chat, and we made contact last week.

JOHN RIORDAN The second instalment of Ali-Liston may have produced one of the most iconic images of sport in the 20th Century but there’s a refreshing spontaneity in the boyish wonder of Cassius Clay when he won the world heavyweight title for the first time.

In Kerry, a county with so many All-Ireland medals, what kind of person would be agreeable to the general populace as a radio sports host?

Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Seán Bán Breathnach’s top tip would be to buy the local papers if you are driving through a place. Local journalists have a wealth of knowledge!

Legendary American trainer Angelo Dundee has died at the age of 90, according to reports.

WHEN Bob Lipsyte was a kid in New York, he went to a total of two professional baseball games.

YOU’VE seen the player, now get ready for Mario the musical.

THIS afternoon, in Louisville, Kentucky, the bell will ring for a week-long birthday party in Muhammad Ali’s honour.

WORLD amateur boxing chiefs AIBA have strongly indicated they will not make it compulsory for female boxers to wear skirts at the 2012 Olympics.

Legendary heavyweight Muhammad Ali led the tributes to his “old friend” Sir Henry Cooper, who died on Sunday, describing him as “a great fighter and a gentleman”.

THERE are any number of ways to deal with defeat.

MICK LEAHY, who died in Coventry on Wednesday, had the distinction of beating the five weight world champion, Sugar Ray Robinson, during an illustrious boxing career. He was 74 years of age.

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali will visit his ancestral Irish home next month, it was confirmed today.

YOU know things are getting pretty bad when you start quoting Rodney King.

As his old friend and former foe Muhammad Ali celebrates his 65th birthday, Henry Cooper insists he feels no bitterness about his controversial defeats by the man known as ‘The Greatest’.

Muhammad Ali is Irish, according to new genealogical evidence.

Muhammad Ali's new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame will never be walked on like the other 2,188 famous names.