AP sources: Muhammad Ali hospitalized in Phoenix area
By TIM DAHLBERG

Boxing great Muhammad Ali is hospitalized in the Phoenix area with what two people familiar with his condition say may be more serious problems than his previous hospital stays.

The people told The Associated Press on Thursday that Ali is fighting respiratory issues that are complicated by the Parkinson's that he was diagnosed with in the 1980s. The two spoke separately in describing Ali's condition that they say is concerning to family members.

The sources declined to be identified because they were not speaking on behalf of the family.

A spokesman for Ali sent out a release earlier Thursday saying the former heavyweight champion is being treated at an unidentified hospital for a respiratory issue. Spokesman Bob Gunnell said that the 74-year-old was in fair condition, and that a brief hospital stay was expected.

Ali has been hospitalized several times in recent years, most recently in early 2015 when he was treated for a severe urinary tract infection initially diagnosed as pneumonia.

Ali has looked increasingly frail in public appearances in recent years, including on April 9 when he wore sunglasses and was hunched over at the annual Celebrity Fight Night dinner in Phoenix, which raises funds for treatment of Parkinson's. His last formal public appearance before that was in October when he appeared at the Sports Illustrated Tribute to Muhammad Ali at The Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, along with former opponents George Foreman and Larry Holmes.

Ali has suffered from Parkinson's for three decades, most famously trembling badly while lighting the Olympic torch in 1996 in Atlanta. Despite the disease he kept up a busy appearance schedule until recently, though he has not communicated verbally in public for years.

Doctors say the Parkinson's was likely caused by the thousands of punches Ali took during his career, where he traveled the world meeting opponents in big fights.

An iconic figure who was at one point arguably the most recognized person in the world, Ali has lived quietly in the Phoenix area with his fourth wife, Lonnie, who he married in 1986.

News of his hospitalization brought well wishes from boxers and others on Twitter, including Sugar Ray Leonard, who modeled his career after Ali.

"Prayers & blessings to my idol, my friend, & without question, the Greatest of All Time @MuhammadAli ! #GOAT," Leonard wrote.

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-06-03

What an amazing life he's had. I was the sole American at a British boarding school. In the 1960's, Ali (then Cassius Clay) fought the British champ. Black vs white. Me and about 150 boys got to stay up late to watch it. I was so proud when Clay won, but had to hide my joy, because everyone else in attendance was bummed out. Admittedly, it was a dirty fight (At the bell, Clay's coach escorted him to their corner, and other things), but Clay got the job done.

What an amazing life he's had. I was the sole American at a British boarding school. In the 1960's, Ali (then Cassius Clay) fought the British champ. Black vs white. Me and about 150 boys got to stay up late to watch it. I was so proud when Clay won, but had to hide my joy, because everyone else in attendance was bummed out. Admittedly, it was a dirty fight (At the bell, Clay's coach escorted him to their corner, and other things), but Clay got the job done.

Yes amazing man. Sad how things turned out for him, the last 15-20 years. I wish him well. He did more for boxing then anyone, an era.

Top 5 best fighters ever.

Muhammad has always said he doesn't feel sorry for himself and he's had a great life and no one else should feel sorry for him either. Forever a champ

Best of luck, Ali. A true sporting great.

Best of luck.

Yeah a Great man, a great boxer..

Sadly he has passed.

The Greatest!

Always was- always will be!

What a loss!

R.I.P. Champ!

RIP Cassius.