World 'lost a giant' after Muhammad Ali's death, says Manny Pacquiao

Pacquiao on Ali's death: We lost a giant ; boxing stars take to social media to pay tribute to legend

 

MANILA - Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao joined Filipino fans in mourning as tributes from around the world poured in for Muhammad Ali, who died at the age of 74 on Friday (Saturday, June 4 in UAE).

"We lost a giant today," Pacquiao, the only man in boxing history to win world titles in eight different weight divisions, said in a statement.

"Boxing benefited from Muhammad Ali's talents but not nearly as much as mankind benefited from his humanity. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Ali family," Pacquiao added.

Ali won one of the biggest fights of his career in the Philippines in the epic Thrilla in Manila against Joe Frazier. On Saturday, the Philippine arena that hosted the epic 1975 bout displayed a banner with Ali's image.

On Saturday, Pacquiao posted Ali's picture in his Instagram account and urged fans to "keep Muhammad Ali in your thoughts and prayers".

Please keep @MuhammadAli in your thoughts and prayers. With God, all things are possible. pic.twitter.com/scABVLxroB

— Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) June 4, 2016

Pacquiao's biggest rival, Floyd Mayweather, also paid tribute to Ali, calling him a "legend, a hero and a great man". "He's one of the guys who paved the way for me to be where I'm at. Words can't explain what Muhammad Ali did for the sport," said Mayweather, who retired last year as an unbeaten welterweight champion. Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson tweeted this:

God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli #TheGreatest #RIP pic.twitter.com/jhXyqOuabi — Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) June 4, 2016

Four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield posted this message:

Remembering the good old days with Ali. RIP my brother I will never forget you. #MohammedAli #Legend #TheGreatest pic.twitter.com/TU7UFBGfcj

— Evander Holyfield (@holyfield) June 4, 2016

Boxing promoter Oscar de la Hoya also paid tribute to Ali:

RIP @muhammadali, a legend who transcended sport and was a true champion for all. #thegreatest #MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/vjmXlXaHip — Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) June 4, 2016

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez also tweeted:

My idol has left us. I will always remember you as the best & will follow ur example. Your legend will live forever pic.twitter.com/v9X8Y3S6Xk

— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) June 4, 2016

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