By Sébastien Blanc, AFP The family of late boxing legend Muhammad Ali and the city of Louisville on Monday prepared for his public funeral later this week, which organizers said “The Greatest” helped plan himself as a “last statement” to the world. Postcard photo of Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky courtesy of oldlouisville.com Former president Bill Clinton and comedian Billy Crystal are among those due to speak Friday at the public memorial in a sports arena in the Kentucky hometown of the three-time world heavyweight champion. The charismatic Ali, a dazzling fighter and outspoken civil rights activist who became one of the 20th century’s most towering figures, died last Friday at age 74 after health problems complicated by a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. The service will be preceded by an Islamic prayer service and family funeral on Thursday, organizers said. The following day, Ali’s coffin — which arrived [...]
