Heavyweight boxer Lennox Lewis has spoken about his friendship with Muhammad Ali ahead of his duties as pallbearer at his funeral today, which will take place in Muhammad’s home city of Lousville.
Ali and Lewis were close – with the late boxer often advising Lennox on his career.
Lewis told the Press Association: "I was upset [to hear of his death] but I realised he had lived with Parkinson's for such a long time. It was really just taking from him.
"Its going to be (a feeling) of sadness but happy at the same time because we can only feel positive looking back at his life. I look at the situation and he's going to be in a better place.
"We're laying to rest another king - the greatest. Definitely the gates of heaven are going to open for him because he's done so much work on planet Earth."
Actor Will Smith will be another pallbearer at the funeral, while Bill Clinton will give a eulogy at the service.
Lewis gave more detail into his friendship with Ali, explaining that the late boxer had dubbed him his “favourite” heavyweight boxer.
He said: "The last time we spoke was when he showed up in Canada and he could say a few words.
"He said 'I used to be the greatest, now you're the greatest' and I said 'you'll always be the greatest Muhammad'.
"I'm his favourite heavyweight, there's no doubt about that.”
Earlier in the week Lewis issued a statement about the funeral, revealing his "honour" at being asked to be a pallbearer.
"I am humbled, and honoured, beyond words to help see my hero, Muhammad Ali, off to his final resting place," Lewis said.
"Ali has always been an enormous inspiration to me, not only in my boxing career, but also in life. His journey began 74 years ago, and in that time, he not only transformed the world of sport, he used sport to transform the world.
"It's my extreme pleasure, and complete honour, to be asked to help him complete the final steps of his life journey."
Ali died last Friday at the age of 74 from respiratory difficulties . He had had a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
