Wednesday, December 31, 2025
ADVT 
Hollywood

Will Smith to be pallbearer for Muhammad Ali's funeral

Darpan News Desk IANS, 07 Jun, 2016 01:26 PM
  • Will Smith to be pallbearer for Muhammad Ali's funeral
Actor Will Smith and former professional boxer Lennox Lewis have been named as pallbearers at late boxing legend Muhammad Ali's funeral, which will take place on Friday.
 
Smith, who portrayed the boxer in the 2001 film about his life called "Ali", and Lennox will be among the 15,000 people who are expected to attend the funeral service in Louisville, reports express.co.uk. 
 
A spokesman for the Ali family confirmed his cousins John Grady, Jan Wadell, Jerry Ellis, nephew Ibn Ali, former brother-in-law Kowali Ali, boxer Jimmy Ellis and family friend John Ramsay will also be pallbearers.
 
Ali, a three-time world heavyweight champion, died in hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 3. He was 74.
 
His funeral at the KFC Yum! Centre in Louisville, will be open to the public. Those who unable to attend will be able to watch the service online.
 
It will be preceded by a Jenazah -- an Islamic funeral prayer programme -- which will also be open to the public at the Freedom Hall, where Ali made his professional debut with a victory over Tunney Hunsaker in 1960.
 
Speaking about the service, family spokesman Bob Gunnell said: "Everything that we are doing here was blessed by Muhammad Ali, and was requested. 
 
"He wanted the memorial service to reflect his life, and how he lived. He wanted everyone to be able to attend. He was the people's champ, and he wanted the memorial service to reflect that." 

MORE Hollywood ARTICLES

Omung Kumar begins 'Sarbjit' shooting

Omung Kumar begins 'Sarbjit' shooting
“Mary Kom” fame director Omung Kumar has started shooting his next directorial venture “Sarbjit”, which stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Randeep Hooda and Richa Chadha.

Omung Kumar begins 'Sarbjit' shooting

Ed Sheeran quits social media, focussed on travel

Ed Sheeran quits social media, focussed on travel
Singer Ed Sheeran has taken a break from the social media to travel the world.

Ed Sheeran quits social media, focussed on travel

Simon Cowell wants 'conversation' with burglar

Music mogul Simon Cowell says he wants to have a conversation with the burglar who broke into his house earlier this month.

Simon Cowell wants 'conversation' with burglar

Wouldn't Have Sought Indian Citizenship If There Was Intolerance: Adnan Sami

Amidst the clamour over the rising intolerance in the country, famous Pakistani singer Adnan Sami, who requested to stay in India on humanitarian grounds earlier this year, says that he wouldn't have sought Indian citizenship if there was such an issue.

Wouldn't Have Sought Indian Citizenship If There Was Intolerance: Adnan Sami

Drew Barrymore's lifestyle 'steeped in reality'

Actress Drew Barrymore says her life is not glamorous and she often feels "like a mom who's schlepping her kids around and is tired and running from here to there".

Drew Barrymore's lifestyle 'steeped in reality'

Nicki Minaj wants to be next Meryl Streep

Rapper Nicki Minaj wants to do more acting and would love to have a career like actress Meryl Streep.

Nicki Minaj wants to be next Meryl Streep