"He was the greatest man I ever met. To say he was the greatest boxer is a put down. He was bigger than boxing, bigger than anything."

"You’re a very special man, with a very special meaning to all the American people. You’re exactly who you said you were, the Greatest."

"He was funny. He was beautiful. He was the most perfect athlete you ever saw... and those were his own words."

"Just think of all the young people seeing Muhammad Ali, the Greatest, embodying the greatest humanitarian role model they'll ever see."

"Muhammad Ali shook up the world. And the world is better for it. We are all better for it."

"One of the strongest and sweetest men I ever met. He elevated the sport of boxing and there will never be another!"

"I loved that man. Besides being the greatest boxer, he was a beautiful gentleman with a great sense of humour."