Ali to meet with Dalai Lama

Boxing great Muhammad Ali will meet the Dalai Lama when the exiled Tibetan leader visits Indiana in September.

"It will be the first time the two have met," said the Dalai Lama's nephew, Jigme Norbu, who lives in Bloomington. "We're honoured that he is taking the time and making the effort to be with us."

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit the town of Bloomington on September 7 to dedicate a new 10,000sq ft interfaith temple, the Chamtse Ling. It will be his fourth visit to Indiana University's home town, south of Indianapolis.

Ali plans to attend the ceremony to show support for the temple's mission of promoting world peace, and for the people of Tibet, The Herald-Times newspaper reported.

The Chinese government has occupied the mountain nation has been occupied for decades.