Muhammad Ali in hospital: How serious is his condition?
Legendary boxer in a 'fair condition', say family, but Parkinson's disease may complicate respiratory problems
![Muhammad Ali](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uJTEBzfiswyaB4RkBS4JiR-415-80.jpg)
Muhammad Ali has been admitted to hospital after experiencing "respiratory issues".
"He is being treated by his team of doctors and is in fair condition," family spokesman Bob Gunnell said in a statement. "A brief hospital stay is expected. At this time, the Muhammad Ali family respectfully requests privacy."
The statement did not give details of which hospital is treating the former heavyweight champion, but ESPN notes the missive is datelined from Phoenix, Arizona, where Ali lives.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The 74-year-old's current hospital stay follows similar spells under doctors' care in 2014 and early 2015, initially thought to be for pneumonia but later identified as a severe urinary tract infection.
However, the Associated Press cites an unnamed source claiming that Ali's current condition may be more serious than the statement suggests. Two people, who asked not to be identified, told AP the respiratory issues were complicated by the former boxer's three-decade battle with Parkinson's disease
Ali was diagnosed with the illness in 1984. Doctors believe it is linked to the many blows to the head he withstood during his lengthy career in the ring. Most of his increasingly rare scheduled appearances are for benefits and fundraisers connected to the disease.
Visibly frail, Ali no longer speaks in public and lives a private life with his fourth wife, Lonnie.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Ukraine's Olympians: going for gold in the line of fire
Under the Radar Hundreds of the country's athletes have died in battle, while those who remain deal with the psychological toll of war and prospect of Russian competitors
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Democrats now have a chance to present a vigorous, compelling case'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What has Kamala Harris done as vice president?
In Depth It's not uncommon for the second-in-command to struggle to prove themselves in a role largely defined by behind-the-scenes work
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published