Tears, laughter and standing ovations galore: Family and friends including his 'little brother' Billy Crystal pay stirring tribute to 'the most beloved individual on earth' Muhammad Ali

Bill Clinton, Billy Crystal, Bryant Gumbel and Ali's family all paid tribute to him at a memorial service this evening
While Clinton praised Ali's sporting career, he said the second part of his life was 'more important' because he he 'refused to be imprisoned by Parkinson's disease'
Crystal recalled an impression he did for Ali summing up his boxing career after which the athlete told him: 'You made my life greater than it was.' Crystal added that Ali 'made all of our lives a little bit greater'
Meanwhile Bryant Gumbel summed up the loss of Ali by saying that the world 'still needs him... but this time our beloved champion is down, and he won't get up'
The service came after a 90 minute procession that took the coffin past his childhood home, the Ali Center, the Center for African American Heritage and then down Muhammad Ali Boulevard before he was buried

By Chris Pleasance and Regina F. Graham For Dailymail.com and Ryan Parry In Louisville, Kentucky For Dailymail.com

Friends, family and fans paid heartbreaking, poignant, and often hilarious final tributes to Muhammad Ali on Friday evening, affirming once and for all why he will always be known as The Greatest.

Wife Lonnie, daughters Maryum and Rasheda, and friends Bryant Gumbel, Billy Crystal, and Bill Clinton were all among those reading eulogies to the man who spent the first half of his life fighting for sport, and the second fighting for justice, equality, and peace.

Bill Clinton, the last to speak, praised Ali not just for his 'strength and speed' as a boxer, but for his life after hanging up his gloves, when he refused to bow out and fade away, despite the crippling effect that Parkison's had on his body.

He said: 'I spend a lot of my time now as I get older, and older, and older, trying to figure out what makes people tick. How do they turn out the way they do? How do some people avoid being victims and rise from defeat?

'I think he decided very young to write his own life story. I think he decided before he could have possibly worked it all out and before fate and time could work their will on him, he decided that he would not be unempowered

'He decided that not his race, nor his place, nor the expectations of others would strip from him the power to write his own story.'

Bill Clinton spoke at the memorial service for Muhammad Ali in Louisville today, praising the three-time heavyweight world champion not just for his incredible sporting career, but for his life outside the ring too

Billy Crystal recalled one impression he delivered for the champion's retirement party summarizing his entire career, after which Ali told him: 'You made my life better than it was.' Speaking of Ali, Crystal said: 'But didn't he make all our lives a little bit better than they were?'

Sportscaster Bryant Gumbel summarized the loss os Ali, saying that 'the world needs a champion like Ali now... but this time our beloved champion is down and he won't get up', while daughter Maryum read a poem entitled 'Our dear father' in honor of Ali's rhyming talents

Lonnie Ali, the boxing great's wife at the time of his death, also delivered a moving eulogy for the champion as thousands gathered for the memorial service which was held in public to honor Ali's connection with ordinary people

Rasheda Ali-Walsh, one of Muhammad Ali's daughters, is overcome with emotion after delivering her eulogy at the memorial service

John Ramsey, a TV and radio personality, as well as a close family friend of Ali, recalled one of the champion's many memorable quotes, saying: 'He once said, "Serving others is the rent you pay for your place here on earth." Well your rent is paid in full.'

Clinton said that Ali's greatest strength, beyond his mere skill as a boxer, was the fact that he never let anyone dictate the terms of his life

Thousands of people gathered at the KFC Yum! center in Ali's hometown of Louisville to pay tribute to the boxing great

The memorial service was held on Friday evening after a private family funeral earlier in the day, followed by a procession through Louisville (pictured, a man wearing an Ali t-shirt listens to eulogies)

He continued: 'I will always think of Muhammad as a truly free man of faith. Being a man of faith he realized he would never be in full control of his life. But being free he realized that life was still open to choices. It is the choices that Muhammad Ali made that bring us all here today in prayer and love.

'The first part of his life was determined by his truly unique gifts. We should never forget them. But the second part of his life was more important because he refused to be imprisoned by a disease that kept him hamstrung longer than Nelson Mandela was in prison.

'He professed gifts that we all have. Every single one of us have gifts of mettle and heart, he just found ways to to release them.'

'There was something else that made him the Greatest. He pointed us to a greatness beyond ourselves, even Ali. He pointed us to greatness of God. Before James Brown said I'm down and I'm brown, Muhammad Ali said I'm black and I'm pretty.'

-Rev. Kevin Cosby

Billy Crystal, a friend of Ali's for more than 40 years, paid an emotional tribute to The Greatest, saying: 'Thirty five years after he stopped fighting, he is still the champion of the world.

'Last week when we heard the news the world stopped. There were no wars, no terrorists, no suffering - the world took a breath and sighed.'

Recalling his favorite moment with Ali, he described being at the champion's retirement party in 1979 when he did an impression of the boxer spanning his entire career, from his teens to his 30s.

Afterwards, he said Ali came up to him and whispered in his ear: 'Little brother, you made my life better than it was.' Speaking of Ali, Crystal added: 'But didn't he make all our lives a little bit better than they were?'

Concluding his speech, Crystal compared Ali to 'a tremendous bolt of lightning, created by Mother Nature out of thin air, a fantastic combination of power and beauty.

'We've seen still photographs of lightning at the moment of impact, ferocious in its strength, magnificent in its elegance. And at the moment of impact it lights up everything around it so you can see everything clearly. Muhammad Ali struck us in the middle of America's darkest night.

'Ali forced us to take a look at ourselves. This brash young man thrilled us, angered us, confused us, challenged us, ultimately became a silent messenger of peace and taught us that life is best when you build bridges between people and not walls.'

Also paying tribute was sportscaster Bryant Grumbel, who marked the enormity of Ali's loss by saying: 'The world needs Ali now. The world needs a champion who always works to bring the economic and social divisions that split our nation to the fore.

'We need the strength, the hope, the passion and the conviction. But this time our beloved champion is down, and he won't get up. Not this time. Not ever again. I am convinced, now more than ever, that Ali was The Greatest.'

Mike Tyson (far left), Lenox Lewis (second left) and Will Smith (far right) all acted as pallbearers for Ali's funeral, a private ceremony which took place ahead of the memorial service in the evening

Members of the boxer's family (left image), including son Asaad (far left), wife Lonnie (second left), and daughters Rasheda (third right) and Maryum (right) listen to speakers at the memorial service, alongside dignitaries (right image) including Bill Clinton (far right), Billy Crystal (second right), and Bryant Gumbel (third left)

Muhammad Ali's daughters Hana Ali (left) and Maryum Ali (right) arrives for his memorial service at the KFC Yum! Center on Friday

Arrivals: Former President Bill Clinton arrives to give the eulogy at Muhammad Ali's memorial service in Louisville, Kentucky on Friday

Whoopi Goldberg was among the celebrity attendees of Friday evening's memorial service, which was also open to the public because his family said he was a 'man of the people'

Actor Will Smith arrives for Muhammad Ali's memorial service. He was one of the pallbearers who carried Ali's casket earlier in the day

Soccer player David Beckham, left, arrives for Muhammad Ali's memorial service on Friday in Louisville, Kentucky

Actor and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, center, arrives for Muhammad Ali's public funeral on Friday

Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Pat Riley and former football star Ray Lewis greet each other while making their way into the memorial

Hip-hop artist Common makes his way into the memorial service alongside the likes of Whoopi Goldberg (right)

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai (center) arrives for the Muhammad Ali funeral service on Friday and stops to speak with US boxing promoter Don King (far right)

Wife Lonnie, alongside daughters Maryum and Rasheda, also paid emotional tributes to the three-time heavyweight champion of the world, while family friend John Ramsey recalled one of the boxer's many memorable quotes, saying: 'He once said, "Serving others is the rent you pay for your place here on earth."

'Well your rent is paid in full,' he added. 'Your rent is paid in full. And thanks to you, our rent is paid as well.'

The memorial, at the 18,000-capacity KFC Yum! Center in Ali's hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, got underway with Hamzah Abdul Malik leading mourners in a recitation of verses from the Quran.

Actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, rapper/actor Common, and former NFL Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis could be seen pulling up to a VIP side entrance at the for the service and were greeted by cheers from onlookers standing about three rows deep.

That was only the beginning of the celeb parade, as producer/director Spike Lee, NBC Today host Matt Lauer, NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown and NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, David Beckham and Spike Lee arrived soon after.

Most exited their limos away from fans and the media, but Abdul-Jabbar did step out and wave to the crowd, unable to hide his 7-foot-2 frame.

The service started with a scripture reading from the Quran and a translation in English before those selected to speak about Ali shared their stories.

Louisville pastor Kevin Cosby said Muhammad Ali loved everyone, whether they lived in the penthouse or the projects. He was among several faith leaders who spoke at the memorial service on Friday in Louisville.

Cosby said Ali infused African-Americans with a 'sense of somebodiness.' He said that just as James Brown declared 'I'm black and I'm proud,' Ali proclaimed 'I'm black and I'm pretty.'

'He dared to affirm the beauty of blackness, the power and the capacity of African Americans, he dared to love America's unloved race and we love us and we loved him because he loved us. Whether you lived in the slums, whether you came from the penthouse or projects, he loved you,' Cosby said.

He said the boxing great 'dared to affirm the power and capacity of African-Americans.'

Hamzah Abdul Malik (left) gave a Quranic recitation at the memorial service for the late boxer. Imam Zaid Shakir (right) introduced all of the speakers at the service

Rev. Kevin Cosby (left) spoke first at the memorial service for the late boxer Muhammad Ali in Louisville on Friday. Former US Senator for Utah Orrin Hatch (right) spoke after Cosby during the memorial service for the boxer

Rabbi Michael Lerner spoke after Hatch during Muhammad Ali's memorial service at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky

The daughter of Malcolm X, Attallah Shabazz (left), gave a powerful speech during the service. Senior adviser to President Barack Obama, Valerie Jarrett (right) also spoke on Friday

The boxer's widow and fourth wife, Lonnie Ali, the delivered a eulogy for her husband and thanked everyone for their touching tributes

A general view of the memorial service for the late Muhammad Ali at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky on Friday

Spike Lee, left, speaks to Former President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, right before Muhammad Ali's memorial service

Former US Senator Orrin Hatch followed Cosby in speaking about Ali during the service and shared that Ali was a 'dedicated friend.'

He said they first met 28 years ago when the boxing great visited the Utah Republican at his Senate office.

'We were different in some ways but differences fortified our friendship, it didn't divide us. So dedicated a friend was Ali, he joined me on the campaign trail,' Hatch said.

'Ali didn't look through the binary lens of Democrats or Republicans so common today, he saw worthy causes and shared humanity. By his willingness to put principles before partisanship, he showed us the path to greatness.

'His greatness relates to his ability as a boxer, his benevolence as a father and friend. There was something else that made him the Greatest. He pointed us to a greatness beyond ourselves, even Ali. He pointed us to greatness of God.

'He said: 'He [God] gave me this condition to remind me I am human. Only He is the Greatest.'

Hatch added that Ali reminded everyone 'who truly is the Greatest' and said that he prayed he rest peacefully.

Rabbi Michael Lerner appeared next to speak about Ali at the service and paid tribute to the boxer, while also being very political.

'We will not tolerate politicians putting down Muslims or blaming Muslims for a few people,' he said referring to terrorists.

Lerner, who is the editor of a non-profit, Jewish and interfaith magazine, referenced the current coverage given of Israel.

'One of the reasons that we in Tikkun magazine have called on the US to stand up to part of the Israeli government oppressing Palestinians is that we as Jews recognize that God has created us in God's image,' he said.

'That means the Palestinian people as well as all other people on the planet.'

He added that Ali was different than any other sports hero.

'Sports heroes come and go. There was something about Ali that was different. He used the recognition to stand up to an immoral war and say, no I won't go,' Lerner said.

'It's for that reason that tens of millions who don't care about boxing, care about Ali. He was willing to risk the honour and his fame to speak truth to power.

NBA executive Pat Riley (left) arrives for Muhammad Ali's memorial service in Kentucky on Friday. Above right actress Jada Pinkett Smith arrives

Musician Yusuf Islam, commonly known by his formerly stage name Cat Stevens (center) arrives at the memorial service

Rev. Jesse Jackson arrives at the memorial service for boxing legend Muhammad Ali on Friday

Spectators cheer after Rabbi Michael Lerner's speech during Muhammad Ali's memorial service in Louisville

'He stood up and was willing to take the risk (of losing his championship) because he was made of that moral integrity. How do we honour Muhammad Ali? It is to be Muhammad Ali. It's up to us to continue that ability to speak truth to power.'

Native American chief, Sidney Hill, spoke in his language next and was followed by Buddhist monks who chanted and drummed.

Later, Rabbi Joe Rapport of Louisville said Ali was 'the heart of our city ... and that heart beats still.'

The daughter of Malcolm X, Attallah Shabazz, gave a powerful speech in which she shared that 'having Muhammad Ali in my life somehow sustained my dad's breath in me – 51 years longer. Until now'.

While speaking, at several points Shabazz appeared as though she was going to cry.

Senior adviser to President Barack Obama, Valerie Jarrett, spoke on behalf of the first family who were unable to attend the service. In her speech, Jarrett praised Ali and noted how influential he was.

'Muhammad Ali was America. He will always be America. What a man. What a spirit. God bless the greatness of Ali, God bless his family.'

Valerie Jarrett, Senior Adviser to President Barack Obama

'He was bigger, brighter and more influential than anyone of his era. You couldn't have made him up. And yes, he was pretty too. He had fans on every city, ghetto in the world,' Jarrett said.

'The British invasion took a detour to come to him! It seemed sometimes the Champ was too big for America.'

She added that the boxer was defiant and admitted 'there were times when he swung a bit wildly and wronged the wrong opponent which he was first to admit'.

Jarrett ended her speech about Ali with an inspiring and powerful statement.

'Muhammad Ali was America. He will always be America. What a man. What a spirit.

God bless the greatness of Ali, God bless his family,' she said.

The boxer's widow and fourth wife, Lonnie Ali, then delivered a eulogy for her husband and thanked everyone for their touching tributes.

'America must never forget that when a cop and an inner city kid talk to each other, miracles can happen,' she said in reference to how his talent was discovered.

Lonnie Ali, who had been married to the boxer for 30 years, spoke of his power and influence around the world.

'Rich and powerful were drawn to him but he was drawn to the poor and the forgotten. He fell in love with masses and they fell in love with him,' she stated.

'Muhammad was compelled by his faith to help the poor.'

Earlier in the day, mourners in their thousands made the pilgrimage to Louisville and lined the streets along which Muhammad Ali once shadowboxed and dreamed of greatness.

As the 17-car motorcade carrying the coffin of the world's most famous boxer made its way from his boyhood home and along the boulevard that bears his name they chanted: 'Ali, Ali'.

Past the museum that stands as a lasting tribute to the legend's boxing triumphs and up towards the Cave Hill cemetery they bowed their heads and tossed roses on to the roofs of the cortege delivering his body to its final resting place.

Pictured above left is the front cover the of the program for Muhammad Ali's public funeral at the KFC Yum! Center. On the right is the front inside cover of the booklet that has a Quranic recitation inside

Pictured above right is the order of Ali's funeral service as seen in the program booklet. Above right is the back page of the booklet that has a quote by Ali along with a butterfly

Hana Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali, throws flowers as she rides in her father's funeral procession while it enters Cave Hill Cemetery

Mourners lined the streets as the 17-car funeral procession for the famed boxer passed through Louisville on Friday

Some touched the three-time world boxing champion's hearse to say their final goodbyes to the legend

Ali's nine children, Laila Ali, Rasheda Ali, Hana Ali, Asaad Amin, Maryum Ali, Jamillah Ali, Khaliah Ali, Muhammad Ali Jr. and Miya Ali joined his wife, two of his ex-wives and other family members made up the motorcade that followed the hearse as it came to a 1pm standstill at the cemetery - their gratitude evident as they smiled at the crowds who cheered and clapped as they passed.

It marks the second day of memorial ceremonies for Ali, who died last Friday age 74 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease, as yesterday more than 14,000 mourners joined the family for the traditional Muslim prayer service at Kentucky's Freedom Hall to celebrate the sporting legend's extraordinary life.

'We've all been dreading the passing of The Champ, but at the same time we knew ultimately it would come,' Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said.

'It was selfish for us to think that we could hold on to him forever. Our job now, as a city, is to send him off with the class and dignity and respect that he deserves.'

The faithful traveled from all over the world to pay their respects. Thousands more lined the procession route Friday to wave a final goodbye to the city's favorite son.

Actor Will Smith and ex-boxers Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis were among the pallbearers who placed Ali's coffin in the black hearse for the procession that began around 10.35am ET, about 65 minutes after the scheduled start time.

The motorcade started at the funeral home and headed north onto the interstate. It then paused briefly to overlook the Muhammad Ali Center in the heart of downtown.

The cars headed west onto Muhammad Ali Boulevard, passed the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage and visited his childhood home on Grand Avenue.

Farewell: Muhammad Ali's 10 pallbearers are pictured above top left to right: Gene Dibble Jr., John Ramsey, Jerry Ellis, Kamawi Ali and Jan Waddell. Pictured bottom left to right: Ibn Ali, Lennox Lewis, Will Smith, John Grady, and Mike Tyson

An attendee holds a ticket for the Memorial Service for the Muhammad Ali Funeral Service in Louisville

The funeral procession for the legendary boxer ended around 1pm ET. His coffin was carried by his 10 pallbearers and put in the back of the hearse at the funeral home prior to the start of the procession

The Greatest had his funeral and memorial service planned for sometime and knew exactly how he wanted his life to be celebrated long before his death. Above Ali's casket is placed into the hearse ahead of the procession

Pallbearers, including Will Smith, Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson, place Muhammad Ali's casket in the hearse ahead of the funeral procession in Louisville, Kentucky

The famed fighter's coffin was draped in an Islamic tapestry prior to it being put inside of the hearse for the procession

Flowers could be seen on the hood and roof of the hearse carrying the coffin of the famed boxer during the procession in Kentucky

It then turned toward his final resting place at the Cave Hill Cemetery where his family and closest friends gathered for a private burial.

At 3pm, thousands will gather at the KFC Yum! Center for a final send-off befitting The Greatest.

The service will feature a eulogy by former President Bill Clinton, a longtime friend, and remarks by comedian Billy Crystal, television journalist Bryant Gumbel and the champ's wife, Lonnie.

The king of Jordan and president of Turkey were scheduled to attend. But Turkey's President has cut short his trip to the US and will not attend the funeral of boxer Muhammad Ali, his office said Friday, amid reports of a rift with the ceremony's organizers.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan had specially flown to Louisville in the southern US state of Kentucky to say farewell to Ali, who the Turkish president is known to have admired hugely as a committed Muslim and civil rights campaigner.

Erdogan on Thursday attended a prayer ceremony for Ali and had been due to attend the funeral on Friday along with several other high profile political leaders.

But the president's office said that Erdogan left the United States for Turkey late Thursday after attending the prayer ceremony and joining a Ramadan fast-breaking dinner with the US diaspora of Meskhetian Turks who were expelled from their homeland by Stalin in the 1940s.

The Olympian's widow and fourth wife, Lonnie Ali, appears somber while sporting black sunglasses prior to the start of the funeral procession

Actor Will Smith (left) and ex-boxer Mike Tyson (right) are among the pallbearers who placed Ali's coffin in the hearse for the procession. Smith portrayed the three-time world heavyweight boxing champion in the hit movie 'Ali'

People took photos and videos of the procession for Ali, as others waved and tossed flowers at the hearse carrying his coffin

The 19-miles-long procession started at Ali's boyhood home where he shadowboxed and dreamed of greatness

Funeral procession map shows the 90-minute route that took his remains by his boyhood home, the boulevard that bears his name and the museum that stands as a lasting tribute to his boxing triumphs

The three-time world heavyweight boxing champion is pictured left in 1966 and right in 2014 at the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards in Kentucky. He died last Friday aged 74

Erdogan and King Abdullah II of Jordan were scheduled to speak at the champion boxer's service on Friday, but was cut due to lack of program space.

Actor Will Smith and ex-boxers Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis are among the pallbearers at the service as well.

Lewis texted a photo, obtained exclusively by Daily Mail Online, to a friend of his earlier today as he and his fellow pallbearers got ready to carry Ali's body to the waiting hearse at A.D. Porter & Sons funeral home in Louisville.

The friend, professional gambler and philanthropist Robin Hood 702, said Lewis was honored to have been give the role.

He said: 'Lennox is truly honored to be part of Muhammad Ali's funeral, he texted me the photo of him and the other pallbearers including Mike Tyson and Will Smith from just before Ali's body was driven through Louisville.'

The candid moment shows the men smiling as they prepare to pick up the coffin and fulfill the greatest of honors.

Robin Hood says he and Lewis have been friends for a few years after they hung out together in Las Vegas and says he's a 'great' guy.

'Lennox is one of the good guys, it's not a surprise to me that he was asked to carry Ali's coffin, what an honor,' he said.

Former heavyweight world champion boxer Lewis spoke about his friendship with Ali ahead of his duties as pallbearer today.

Ali and Lewis were close – with the late boxer often advising Lennox on his career.

THE BOXERS, THE MOVIE STAR, THE FAMILY FRIEND AND THE EX IN-LAW: THE 10 MEN SERVING AS MUHAMMAD ALI'S PALLBEARERS

Ten men - including a few famous famous - were chosen to carry boxing great Muhammad Ali's casket during his funeral on Friday.

Among the pallbearers is Will Smith, the actor who portrayed 'the greatest ever' in the 2001 film Ali and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who was a last minute addition.

Ali family spokesman Bob Gunnell says Tyson caught a late flight to be part of the ceremonies honoring Ali in Louisville, Kentucky. Gunnell says Tyson wasn't sure if he would attend the service because of a prior commitment. He also said Tyson was initially hesitant to take part in the ceremonies because he was highly emotional when he learned of Ali's death.

Tyson isn't the only boxing legend escorting Ali to his final resting place. Lennox Lewis, another former heavyweight champion, is also among the pallbearers.

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Ten men - including a few famous famous - were chosen to carry boxing great Muhammad Ali's casket during his public funeral on Friday. the pallbearers are pictured above loading Ali's casket into a hearse outside the funeral home on Friday

In an interview with the Press Association, Lennox said it was an 'honor' to be asked to be a pallbearer at his hero's funeral.

'I am humbled, and honoured, beyond words to help see my hero, Muhammad Ali, off to his final resting place.

'Ali has always been an enormous inspiration to me, not only in my boxing career, but also in life. His journey began 74 years ago, and in that time, he not only transformed the world of sport, he used sport to transform the world.

'It's my extreme pleasure, and complete honour, to be asked to help him complete the final steps of his life journey,' he said.

Lennox Lewis (left), Will Smith (center) and Mike Tyson (right) are three of the famous faces escorting Muhammad Ali to his final resting place on Friday. The two men pictured above outside of the funeral home on Friday, where the procession of Ali's body began

The other pallbearers are made up of close family and friends including John Grady, Ali's cousin; Ibn Ali, Ali's nephew; Komawi Ali, his former brother-in-law; Jerry Ellis, the brother of Ali's former sparring partner Jimmy Ellis; Jan Waddell, Ali's first cousin; Gene Dibble, Jr., son of Ali's former business agent and John Ramsey, a family friend.

Mr Waddell says it was Ali's wife Lonnie who first asked him to be a pallbearer at her husband's funeral.

'I was informed by Lonnie Friday night, before Ali had passed. She wanted me to be a pallbearer and I accepted that great honor,' Mr Waddell told WLKY.

Before he was the heavyweight champion of the world, Ali actually babysat Waddell.  Eventually, Ali helped pay for his younger cousin to go to law school, and now Waddell works as an attorney.

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The pallbearers place Ali's casket in a hearse outside of the funeral home Friday morning, ahead of the boxing legend's private burial

Mike Tyson (front and center) is seen above smiling with some of the other pallbearers at the funeral home before taking Ali's casket to the cemetery

While the official list of pallbearers includes just 10 men, 12 were seen loading Ali's casket into a hearse Friday morning ahead of the funeral.

The 17-car motorcade set out for a Louisville cemetery on a 19-mile route that was expected to take Ali's body past his boyhood home, the gym where he first learned to box and the museum that bears his name, via Muhammad Ali Boulevard.

Fans chanted like spectators at one of his fights, stood on cars, held up cellphones, signs and T-shirts, tossed flowers and scattered rose petals along the path of the hearse.

Truckers honked their horns in salute. Others fell silent and looked on reverently as the champ went by.

The motorcade arrived at Cave Hill cemetery just before 1pm on Friday. Only Ali's family and friends were invited to the private burial, but an open memorial is slated to start right after the service at the KFC Yum! Center. More than 15,000 people are expected to attend the public funeral, where former President Bill Clinton, Billy Crystal and Will Smith are slated to speak.

Muhammad Ali died last week at the age of 74, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

MUHAMMAD ALI'S TEN PALLBEARERS

Gene Dibble IV: Gene Dibble IV is the son of the late Gene Dibble III, who was Muhammad Ali's business agent. When he became a stockbroker in 1956, Dibble Sr was one of just three African American brokers working for Chicago investment firms.

He passed away in 2014 at the age of 84. Valerie Jarrett, a senior White House adviser, is his cousin.

John Ramsey: Radio personality and one of Ali's best friends. The two met in the late 1980s.

Jerry Ellis: Jerry Ellis is the brother of Ali's former sparring partner Jimmy Ellis. Ali and Jimmy were foes in the boxing ring, but they grew up close friends in Louisville. Jimmy died in 2014.

Komawi Ali: Ali's former brother-in-law.

Jan Waddell: Ali's younger cousin who he used to babysit before becoming a household name. Ali also helped pay for him to go to law school and become an attorney.

Ibn Ali: Ali's nephew. In a 2009 interview, Ibn said it was a 'blessing and a curse' to be one of Ali's relatives 'because a lot of people want to hold you up to his standards'.

Lennox Lewis: The former heavyweight champion of the world, who was Ali's 'favorite' boxer.

Will Smith: Hollywood actor who played the boxing legend in the 2001 critically-acclaimed film Ali.

John Grady: Ali's cousin on his mother's side of the family. Ali's grandfather Abe Grady was born in Ennis, Ireland, and moved to America in the 1860s where he married a free African-American woman in Kentucky. The couple started a family and had children including daughter Odessa Lee Grady, who married Ali's father Cassius Clay, Sr.

Mike Tyson: Also a former heavyweight champion and world-famous boxer. Tyson was added to the list of pallbearers at the last minute, and took an overnight flight to make it to the funeral services.

Lewis told the Press Association: 'I was upset [to hear of his death] but I realized he had lived with Parkinson's for such a long time. It was really just taking from him.

'It's going to be (a feeling) of sadness but happy at the same time because we can only feel positive looking back at his life.

'I look at the situation and he's going to be in a better place.'

'We're laying to rest another king - the greatest. Definitely the gates of heaven are going to open for him because he's done so much work on planet Earth.'

In addition, other pallbearers include Jerry Ellis - the brother of Jimmy Ellis, Ali's former sparring partner and fellow world heavyweight champion - and Ali's cousins John Grady and Jan Wadell, nephew Ibn Ali, former brother-in-law Komawi Ali and family friend John Ramsey.

Tyson took a red-eye flight from Las Vegas to be in Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday, according to Ali family spokesman Bob Gunnell.

Gunnell said Tyson wasn't sure whether he would attend the service because of an earlier commitment.

He said Tyson was highly emotional when he learned of Ali's death and wasn't sure whether he could handle the emotions of Ali's memorial.

President Barack Obama was unable to make the trip because his daughter, Malia, is graduating from high school.

Actor Will Smith is seen above prior to the funeral procession for Muhammad Ali that made its way through the city of Louisville

It traveled to the boulevard that bears his name and the museum that stands as a lasting tribute to his boxing triumphs and his humanitarian causes outside the ring. Above left and right is the funeral procession

Mourners gather outside Muhammad Ali's childhood home during the funeral procession for the three-time heavyweight boxing champion in Louisville on Friday

The hearse carrying Ali's body is pictured above passing his childhood home as hundreds say their final farewells to the boxer

The send-off for the three-time heavyweight champion and global advocate for social justice is likely to be one of the city's most historic events. Above the funeral procession makes its way down Muhammad Ali Boulevard in Louisville on Friday

Valerie Jarrett, a senior White House adviser, will read a letter Obama wrote to Ali's family at the service.

In a video message, Obama said: 'This week we lost an icon. A person who for African Americans, I think, liberated their minds in recognizing that they could be proud of who they were.'

The boxer's youngest son, Asaad Ali, 25, shared his recollections and his final moments with his father on the TODAY show Friday with Matt Lauer.

'What I can say about that room (before Ali died), it was just a really emotional, powerful, spiritual moment that we all shared with him', Asaad said.

'I was able to say my last few words that I really wanted to say to him for a while now'.

Asaad, who was born roughly a decade after his father left the boxing ring, is the youngest of Ali's nine children.

He shared how his famed father would often pick up people while driving home on the street and taken them back home to do magic tricks.

'We could be driving down the street and there'd be somebody on the road — in the middle of the road,' Asaad said.

'And he'd pick 'em up and we'd put 'em in the car and he'd take 'em home to do magic tricks. My mom would be furious at him'.

In addition, he also shared how Ali would reveal glimpses of the prowess and agility that made him the legendary boxer, even while suffering from Parkinson's disease at age 60.

'We were sitting chair to chair next to each other and there was a lamp and a table in between us. There was a fly, just wandering around. He just snatched it outta nowhere.

He just looked at me at said, 'I still got it''.

The youngest son of the legend shared that his father was tough in how he dealt with the effects of the disease.

MUHAMMAD ALI'S PUBLIC FUNERAL SERVICE PLANS FOR FRIDAY

The procession and memorial service on Friday follow a traditional Muslim funeral service held Thursday afternoon.

The motorcade began at the funeral home and headed north onto the interstate.

It then paused briefly as it overlooked the Muhammad Ali Center in the heart of downtown.

The cars headed west onto Muhammad Ali Boulevard, passed the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage and visited his childhood home on Grand Avenue.

It then turned toward his final resting place at the Cave Hill Cemetery where his family and closest friends gathered for a private burial.

At 3pm, thousands gathered at the KFC Yum! Center for a final send-off befitting The Greatest.

Former President Bill Clinton, a longtime friend of the late boxing legend, is preparing to deliver the eulogy at the 15,000-capacity KFC Yum! Center on Friday for Muhammad Ali's public funeral services.

Actor Billy Crystal and sportscaster Bryant Gumbel, will also deliver eulogies for Ali at the service.

Speakers from multiple faiths including Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism and Mormonism will be followed by Ali's wife, daughter Maryum Ali, Crystal and Gumbel.

Actor Will Smith greets the public while riding in the funeral procession of Muhammed Ali. Ex-boxer Lennox Lewis is seated in the front seat

The funeral procession for Muhammad Ali above makes its way down Muhammad Ali Boulevard in Louisville, as members of the crowd throw flowers at the hearse carrying his coffin

Years ago, the champ signed off on how he wished to say goodbye to the world and one of his mandates was that ordinary fans attend, not just VIPs. Above crowds line the route of the procession

A crowd gathered outside of Ali's childhood home before the procession began for the boxing champion

People pose for photos outside the childhood home of the late boxing champion Muhammad Ali in Louisville, Kentucky, ahead of his funeral and memorial services today

'He was a man that never complained, never showed weakness,' Asaad Ali, is an assistant baseball coach at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa, said.

'You never could never tell what days were bad with Parkinson's, what days were good. Because he's that kind of person. He's tough, he's strong.'

The memorial for the fighter is expected to draw 15,000 people and will bookend a week-long series of planned services and spontaneous celebrations.

The Ali Center stopped charging people for admission. A tour company began impromptu tours of Ali's path through the city.

Businesses printed his quotes across their billboards. City buses flashed 'Ali - The Greatest' in orange lights across their marquees.

A downtown bridge said it would be lit the rest of the week in red and gold: red for his gloves and gold for his medal.

Years ago, the champ signed off on how he wished to say goodbye to the world. One of his mandates was that ordinary fans attend, not just VIPs.

Thousands of free tickets were snatched up within an hour, many fans waiting hours for the chance to witness history.

'Everybody feels a sense of loss with Ali's passing,' said Mustafa Abdush-Shakur, who traveled from Connecticut to pay tribute to him. 'But there's no need to be sad for him. We're all going to make that trip.'

ERDOGAN STRIKES AGAIN: ROUND-UP OF THIN-SKINNED TURKEY PRESIDENT'S MOST CONTROVERSIAL BEHAVIOR

It should come as no real surprise that the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan abandoned the Muhammad Ali funeral after his demands were not met - he is famous for outrageous and unpredictable behavior.

While he enjoys a loyal support among Turkey's conservative, Muslim base, outside the country outrage grows over his silencing of critics, often by force.

Nearly 2,000 journalists, academics, cartoonists and others cases have faced the Turkish justice system for insulting Mr. Erdogan.

A Dutch journalist who wrote a column in April critical of the president and his government's growing crackdown on freedom of expression was taking from her summer home in Turkey and questioned by police.

In February this year he even had a 13-year-old boy arrested by anti-terror teams for 'insulting the President on Facebook'.

In 2014 he banned Twitter in Turkey after a video surfaced that he had previously tried to block.

In April this year he sued a German comedian for reciting a satirical poem about him on German television that slammed Turkey's crackdown on the press and its Kurdish population.

But perhaps most concerning are Erdogan's views on women. He once famously said: Our religion (Islam) has defined a position for women: motherhood.

Some people can understand this, while others can't. You cannot explain this to feminists because they don't accept the concept of motherhood.

People sit in lawn chairs outside boxing legend Muhammad Ali's childhood home where mourners wait to pay their respects during a funeral procession on Friday

Above left Tymetrius Steward, 3, wears boxing gloves to honor Muhammad Ali as he awaits his funeral procession to make its way down Muhammad Ali Boulevard in Louisville. Above right Toya Johnson reads an historic site plaque in front of his boyhood home

Frances Woods holds a sign saluting Muhammad Ali as she awaits his funeral procession to make its way down Muhammad Ali Boulevard

'I'M HIS FAVORITE HEAVYWEIGHT': PALLBEARER LENNOX LEWIS ON HIS FRIENDSHIP WITH MUHAMMAD ALI

Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has opened up about his relationship with Muhammad Ali on the day of The Greatest's funeral.

The retired British boxer said 'the gates of heaven are going to open for him because he's done so much work on planet Earth'.

Lewis, 50, was one of ten pall-bearers to load the legendary fighter's coffin into a hearse ahead of a 19-mile procession through his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

He revealed his sadness at not only losing a hero, but a man who advised him on his own fledgling career.

He said: 'I was upset [to hear of his death] but I realised he had lived with Parkinson's for such a long time. It was really just taking from him.

'We're laying to rest another king - The Greatest. Definitely the gates of heaven are going to open for him because he's done so much work on planet Earth.'

The other pall-bearers include actor Will Smith, who played Ali in the Academy Award nominate movie of the same name, and members of his family. Former US President Bill Clinton will give a eulogy at the service.

In a revealing interview, Lewis also delved into his deep friendship with Ali, telling of how he was the former champion's 'favorite' heavyweight boxer.

He said: 'The last time we spoke was when he showed up in Canada and he could say a few words.

'He said, 'I used to be the greatest, now you're the greatest' and I said, 'You'll always be the greatest Muhammad'.

'I'm his favorite heavyweight, there's no doubt about that. I am humbled, and honored, beyond words to help see my hero, Muhammad Ali, off to his final resting place.'

'Ali has always been an enormous inspiration to me, not only in my boxing career, but also in life.

'His journey began 74 years ago, and in that time, he not only transformed the world of sport, he used sport to transform the world.'

Ali's second wife, Khalilah Camacho-Ali, and his third wife, Veronica Porche-Ali, whom he had an affair with prior to marrying, were in attendance for the Jenazah, an Islamic funeral prayer, in Louisville, Kentucky, on Thursday. His first wife, Sonji Roi, passed away in 2005.

The traditional Muslim Jenazah service lasted a little over an hour as Muslims traveled from all over the world to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the Kentucky arena for a final tribute to Ali.

Imam Zaid Shakir, a prominent US Muslim scholar, led the Jenazah prayer service. He told the crowd: 'We welcome all of you here today. We welcome the Muslims, we welcome the members of other faith communities, we welcome the law enforcement community.

'We welcome our sisters, our elders, our youngsters. All were beloved to Muhammad Ali.'

In an introductory prayer, Shakir said: 'Oh God, Almighty God, don't deprive us of his reward, don't cast us into tribulation after his departure. Forgive us and forgive him.'

Sherman Jackson, a member of the Muslim American community, offered condolences to Muhammad Ali's family at the prayer service for the boxing great, saying his death has taken something away 'from the sweetness of life itself.'

Jackson said Ali belonged to everyone but was 'an unapologetic fighter in the cause of black people in America — and not just the classes among black folks, but even more especially the masses.'

Worshipers and well-wishers take photographs as the casket with the body of the late boxing champion Muhammad Ali is brought for his Jenazah, an Islamic funeral prayer, in Louisville, Kentucky, on Thursday

Muhammad Ali's second wife Khalilah Camacho-Ali (left), his fourth wife Lonnie Ali (center), and daughter Laila Ali (right), holding a grandchild, attend the Islamic prayer service at the Kentucky Exposition Center on Thursday

'Ali was the people's champion, and champion he did the cause of his people,' Jackson said.

He added that Ali 'did more to normalize Islam in this country than perhaps any other Muslim in the history of the United States,' exceeding the achievements of scholars and clerics because he demonstrated the religion's generosity and power.

He also said that Ali put the question of whether you can be a Muslim and a proud American to rest.

'Indeed, he KO'd that question,' Jackson said.

A fellow Muslim who shares the boxing great's name traveled from Bangladesh.

Mohammad Ali arrived with no hotel reservation, just a belief that this pilgrimage was important to honor the global icon in a traditional Islamic service.

The Ali from Bangladesh said he met the boxer in the early 1970s and they struck up a friendship based on their shared name. The Champ visited his home in 1978 and always joked he was his twin brother, he said.

Ali insisted the service be open to all. Mourners began trickling in shortly after the doors opened at 9am.

'I STILL GOT IT': ALI'S SON REVEALS HOW HIS FATHER EVEN AT 60 WOULD SURPRISE HIM WITH TRICKS THAT MADE HIM THE GREATEST