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Ali's passing draws swift reaction

Posted at 1:17 AM, Jun 04, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-04 11:10:01-04

Moments after the death of Muhammad Ali was announced to the world Friday evening, actors, politicians, athletes and even rivals all expressed their thoughts on the passing of Ali.

Ali died Friday in a Phoenix-area hospital, surrounded by members of his family. He was said to be have respiratory  issues exacerbated by his battle with Parkinson's disease. 

One of Ali's rivals, George Foreman, was one of the first to speak out on Ali's death. Ali defeated Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle" bout if 1974. Ali knocked out Foreman for the first time in Foreman's career.

"Ralph Ali, Frazier & Foreman we were 1 guy. A part of me slipped away, "The greatest piece," Foreman tweeted Friday evening. 

Other boxing greats offered their thoughts Friday evening. 

"God came for his champion. So long great one," former champ Mike Tyson said. 

My heart is deeply saddened yet both appreciative and relieved that the greatest is now resting in the greatest place," former champ Roy Jones Jr. said. "May God bless the family and all of us that are left behind that were deeply touched by his life. There will never ever be another one like him. RIP to one of the greatest to ever step in the ring."