Everyone, but we heard him in a way no one else could as our brother, our uncle and our inspiration. Reporter muhammad alis family is holding a News Conference in the phoenix area in just a bit we will go there in just a moment when it starts. President Obama Joining millions of americans who are offering their condolences remembering the greatest of all time who still as you can see there holds a presence in the commander in chiefs personal study to this day. He was standing feet away to witness the first black president. Mr. Obama tweeting saying he shook up the world and the world is better for it rest in peace, charge. This is the first time we have heard from alis family since his death. Lets listen in. 24 to 48 hours with family members accompanying him. He will the celebration of a m ma his life will begin for just the immediate family, grandchildren, children, cousins, brother, then the next morning the family will gather at the funeral home location where they will be joined by the aid who is presiding over the funeral arrangements for prayers and at that point a funeral a rather large funeral procession will take him through the streets of louisville to allow anyone that is there from the world to celebrate the life of him. He will pass by the parks of the Muhammad Ali Center where it is named after him that he led and follows his principles. He will then travel down to street named after him, muhammad ali boulevard through his Old Neighborhood and then come back up broadway in louisville where many iconic photos of him were taken especially after the 1960 olympics victory, and will end at Cahill Cemetery where he will have a private ceremony with family only. At 2 00 p. M. , the Memorial Service will begin [ inaudible ] including former senator hatch who will represent the moorman faith. Eulogies will be led by president bill clinton, bryant gum bble and billy crystal. After there will be a reception for friends and guests at the Muhammad Ali Center and so that will include the service for mr. Ali. At this time, ill take any questions that you might have. [ inaudible question ] could you describe for us his home im sure it was very solemn, define the moment. The family was there, were they able to say farewells . They had a full day to say farewell to him. All family members all daughters and his son were in attendance and his wife. They got to spend quality time with him to say their final goodbyes and it was a very solemn moment as i have repeated since last evening. It was a really you hate to say this about a funeral, but a beautiful thing to watch, because it displayed everything thats good about muhammad ali and the family displayed that with dignity, and of course there was sorrow, they were in sadness, but it was done the champ would have been very proud of his family. Was he able to say goodbye . Yes. Yes. [ inaudible question ] he became ill monday. And, was hospitalized monday night. Im losing track of time. Forgive me. Monday night he was in the hospital but he was in fair condition and we expected that to be the case you know he has battled back many times and we expected it to happen this time. The family was called when things became more serious, still had a lot of hope that it was going to turn around. I arrived in phoenix a couple of days ago and then shortly after i arrived it became clear in discussions with lonnie ali and his doctors that his condition wasnt going to improve, so they were able to bring all family members in the last 24 hours when we knew things werent going to improve they were given time to say goodbye. His official time of death was 9 10 p. M. Mountain standard time. His official cause of death was septic shock due to unspecified natural causes. Theyre having a it is very rough at this point for the family. All family members are having a tough time. [ inaudible question ] i dont know that answer. In the back. Any plans to have a Memorial Service in arizona . There is not at this point in time. At a later time there could be something, but for right now all Memorial Services will be held at louisville. [ inaudible question ] i was not there. His final moment his actually final hours were spent with just immediate family. There were lots of very Close Friends that flew in to be with him, but they respected the family. They didnt go to the room, so i dont know in the back. I wonder if the family are aware of the impact of the United States but of this having around the world and a lot of tributes being made literally from ever corner of the globe. They do and they are very appreciative of all the outpouring around the world and thats why i think it was important to them to have a celebration and a Memorial Service that was open to everyone from all walks of life. You know, their heartfelt they certainly believe that mohammed was a citizen of the world and he truly was and they know that the world grieves with them and they received, as you can maimagine, tens of thousand of well wishes and support. You mentioned that the funeral will reflect his values. [ inaudible question ] im sorry i couldnt hear the last did he have a specific request . Well, this entire service was his specific request, so yes. How many hours before he died [ inaudible question ] did he suffer . He did not suffer. No. I think the realization set in the morning of his death. A couple more questions if we have them. [ inaudible question ] do you have any idea whats going to be the future of charities you know, obviously you know the ali family will continue to support those, lonnie will still be very involved and very active and so i those will continue to go forward. What they have asked and that brings up a good point, is that in leiu of flowers of cards that donations be sent through the Muhammad Ali Center in louisville, kentucky. Two more questions. [ inaudible question ] i think thats for i think thats for historians and history, but i think he will be remembered as a man of the world who spoke his mind and wasnt afraid to take a chance and went out of his way to be a kind, benevolent individual that really changed the world. I mean, muhammad ali changed the way people challenged authority. And looked at it in a completely different facet. Last question. [ inaudible question ] yes, and thank you. And so through the Muhammad Ali Center website, Muhammad Ali Center. Rg but through Muhammad Ali Center. Org the Actual Service will be streamed throughout the world and translated as well. So, that will be available to follow along. [ inaudible question ] well, it is going to be in the muslim tradition. Obviously thats why the emom is leading it, but mohammed truly loved all people. This whole service, the Service Funeral plans were done years ago by mr. Ali who discussed them personally. There will be further updates in louisville tomorrow night. Thank you. Reporter and there you have it Muhammad Ali Family spokesman bob gunnel giving us a little bit more detail about when those memorial and Funeral Services are going to be held. Also some details about his final moments as well after being admitted to the phoenix air hospital. He is going to pass by the center on friday. He is also going to spend some time, the caravan is going to make its way down to street. Literally two blocks where i stand. Here, behind me, this memorial continues to grow. This is a memorial that popped up late last night. Very, very late when it became clear that this was one fight that the champ would not win. Folks who have been streaming by this memorial all day have been dropping off flowers and balloons. We have seen a number of folks embrace and wife tears away only fitting that this 74 year old will be laid to rest where it all started here learning to box at the age of 12 when someone stole his bicycle. That 60 bike he was going to go and find whoever did it and in his words whoop them, the officer says perhaps you should learn how to fight first. They touaught him how to box an the rest of course is history. He was at that News Conference that just wrapped up there, ron, it was also interesting to me at least to hear precisely how it was that the great ali spent his final hours here on earth surrounded by family. Reporter surrounded by family and bob gunnel says it was very moving and touching all the folks that wanted to be with him in those final hours came in and paid their respects. A lot of Close Friends flew in from all over the country but respected the familys wishes they just wanted to be near him each member of the family got to spend some quality time with their dad and husband and uncle and grand ddad in his final hou and bob was mentioning that he fell ill on monday and believes it was monday night that he was admitted to the hospital and the thinking was as has been the case throughout the past several years each time he has had a little bit of a Health Setback he battled back and they expected nothing but, but by wednesday said it appeared it was going to be a more serious challenge to ali and of course he passed away just past 9 00 pacific time just past midnight on the east coast. Many of you can find this on the ali center website. Org, the body we understand will be moved to louisville within the next 24 to 48 hours and theres private activities planned for the family and immediate family on thursday in louisville and then the public celebration beginning friday morning with the procession around town theres a map for folks in the louisville area who want to get a good spot for that and then the services will start at 2 00, we heard about the roster of speakers, president bill clinton, bryant gum bble and billy crystal, he s quite a friend as he mimicked him. A sad day in the valley but a good day for people to remember and recollect all those great moments over the years and there will be a big audience i presume friday around the world at those services, craig. Reporter ron, its been cool to talk to some of the folks here in louisville, who actually knew him growing up. A woman was telling me about her husband who used to spar with him who went to middle school with him and she described a boy who sounded very similar to the man that we all knew, a class clown, loved to joke around and even at that age was very much into magic tricks. Reporter he was an entertainer. Thats what he chose as his profession was a professional entertainer. A violent way to earn a living but did it with such grace and dignity and though he got a lot of track he got in the 60s and how he is revered around the world, it is an accomplishment to overcome public reputation and to see people of all ages and those who got a chance to see him fight in his prime saw something very special. Ive been remarking since this news hit, i saw, came of age toward the tail end of his career and it was very disheartening to see that loss to leon spinks, he did not have the most graceful exit from the sport but post that and all the champion causes, including the Muhammad Ali Center here at one of the hospitals for Parkinsons Research have raised more than 100 million since the mid nineties, so for the folks interested and moved so much to want to do something for the family as you heard at the end of the press conference you can make a donation at the ali center there right at the Muhammad Ali Center. Org. Reporter ron, thank you. Well come back to you in just a bit when we continue our coverage here on msnbc, what it was like to fight him. Former boxer evander holy fiefi joins me, but first here is a taste of the champs quick whit. The stage is set for me to shock the whole planet and be recognized not as the greatest boxer but the greatest athlete of all time. 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R ways heres the latest. fast sound effects problem is, we havent figured out how to reverse it. For now, just log on to compare. Com. Plug in some simple info and get up to 50 free quotes. Choose the lowest and hit purchase. Now. If youll excuse me, im late for an important function. Compare. Com. Saving humanity from high insurance rates. Last night a friend of mine died. Muhammad ali. When i was president , we had the olympics in atlanta, those of you of a certain age may remember watching muhammad ali dealing with his parkinsons disease the last barer of the olympic torch up the ladder to light it. Once the most powerful graceful People Holding on with his handshaking and he did his job and at the end he was actually astonishingly good humored about the burden of his later years, so by the time he died, who he was as a person was greater than his legend. Reporter that was president clinton just a few moments ago there in englewood, california talking about his friend muhammad ali who died last night at the age of 74, we just learned that he will be one of those paying tribute here in louisville on friday along with bryant gum bble a friend of muhammad alis who was actually here when the center opened back in 2005 will be one of the folks eulogizing him along with billy crystal. Lets turn to chuck wep nner he went 15 rounds with him back in 1975. He became the only boxer to knock him down at this point. He lost the fight but he did gain a lifelong friend chuck wep nner on the phone, let me start with condolences to you today with the loss of your friend, first let me ask the initial reaction of the news that we truly lost muhammad ali last evening . I loved the man, he did so much for me and gave me a great opportunity and we lost the greatest. That word, that name fit him to a t. He was the greatest. Reporter before we get to the fight back in 75 what was your most memorable interaction with him outside the ring . After the fight we toured for a while i played mr. Tooth decay and i boxed ali and i would knock him down and they would brush his teeth and get back up and we were trying to get the kids in washington d. C. To brush more. We had a meeting with the president of the United States at that time the peanut farmer, any way, i got to spend a lot of time with ali and ive seen him four or five times since. I went to his Birthday Party three years ago out in las vegas and it was great just to be with him. He was a living legend. Reporter chuck, tonight that you fought ali, take us back to that night, to the fight. Well, it was the only fight i ever trained for full time because i was never subsidized. I had to run in the morning, work during the day and train at night, so people from don kings people sent me away to camp up in canada and i got myself in great shape and i was ready that night and i gave him my best shot but he was still muhammad ali just came off the knock oou of george foreman, it was probably the best of my career i just wasnt good enough to beat the greatest. Reporter chuck wep nner tha you so much, sir, for sharing your thoughts with us on this saturday afternoon. Im joins now with someone who never fought muhammad ali but someone who was inspired by him the fivetime boxing champ evander holy fiefield joins us. You have said time an time again that he was your inspirational professor. What was your reaction to the news . Well, this man had a great life and at some point it ends for everybody you know more than to be happy for all the things, all the goals that he all the memories he had given to everybody to strive to the very best and endeavors. Reporter take me back to that first time that you met him. I believe it was in the mid 80s. It was after the olympics i met ali and it was such a great thing. I was told when i was eight years old that i could be like ali, he was a gold medal and i was a bronze medal, i had every inspiration just like him i think Everyone Wants to break alis record and i told them no, they asked me why and i said because im lose. I lost to him in more than one set. It was just the fact that i found out that people who take chances of winning, sometimes you can fall short, but you can get back up and thats what ali has proven and i won some and i lost some, but at the end i won. Evandr evander, your styles were similar, a lot of folks considered him and you to both be under weigweight for th heavy weigweight cl