Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has died at the age of 74.

A family spokesperson confirmed he passed away in hospital in Phoenix Arizona.

Ali had battled Parkinson's disease for the last 32 years - it's understood he was admitted to hospital in Thursday suffering from respiratory complications.

In 1972 Ali fought Al Blue Lewis in Croke Park - he returned to Ireland in 2003 when he attended the venue for the Special Olympics.

Ali used his fame to promote civil rights and in an interview broadcast on RTE in 1972 compared the struggles of Americans to those on our shores:

Born Cassius Clay he converted to Islam and became Muhammad Ali - however he was known to millions as - The Greatest.

In 1967 Ali refused to be drafted to fight in Vietnam - he was convicted, stripped of his world title and boxing licence.

The decision was highly criticised by Americans at the time.

Friend and Civil Rights Campaigner - Paul Stevenson - remembers their time together: