Yesterday it was reported that Ali was unable to speak due to complications from Parkinson’s diseases. News of Ali’s deteriorating health was released by his brother Rahman. Today, Ali’s daughter Laila took to Facebook to comment on her father’s health. Hit the jump for details.
Via Fox Sports:
Ali family spokesperson Bob Gunnell told The Courier-Journal in Ali’s native Louisville, Kentucky, that Muhammad is “doing fine,” but did provide a bit of a sobering update on the three-time heavyweight champion’s health.
“Muhammad is doing fine at this point,” Gunnell said. “His speaking style is lower in tone, and as the day goes on, he doesn’t speak as well as he does in the morning. But Muhammad’s a strong person for his age and for the disease he has.”
In terms of Ali’s overall health, Gunnell told the paper, “[Ali’s] not at a point where we’re at all worried,” and that “if Muhammad were having major health issues, we would issue something.”
Daughters Laila and Maryum Ali echoed those thoughts in social media posts.
Ali has battled Parkinson’s, a degenerative disease of the brain, since 1984.
“I Am Ali” is like most bios on the boxer, telling stories from childhood and adulthood, in the ring and out, including Ali’s political activism. But it also relies heavily on 80 hours of audio tapes from earlier in Ali’s life.
The he said/he said between family members is very similar to an incident in February 2013, when Rahman claimed Muhammad was on his deathbed and “could die within days,” only to have Gunnell issue a statement disputing the claim.
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