The “Greatest of All Time” has gone. None of us will ever forget Muhammad Ali’s legendary bouts: the “Rumble in the Jungle” against George Foreman in Kinshasa or the fights against Joe Frazier and Ken Norton. The elegance and speed with which Muhammad Ali danced around the ring were unique.

Not only in the boxing ring was Muhammad Ali great. He was an impressive figure – proud, self‑confident, free, always political and often polarising. That was why he became an icon for the American civil rights movement. Muhammad Ali was a fighter. He never gave up, either in the ring or in life. He faced up to his severe illness with tremendous dignity and courage.

We mourn a great sportsman and a great man.