Thousands Attend Prayer Service For Muhammad Ali

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LOUISVILLE (CBSMiami) - Thousands of people of all faiths attended the first of two memorials honoring Muhammad Ali.

Thursday's Muslim prayer service at Louisville's Freedom Hall showcased the boxing legend's devotion to Islam.

Ali began crafting details of his own funeral years ago. He remained a devout Muslim up until his death last week.

"The city, the country, the world wants to send him off in the very best of fashions and his Muslim brothers and sisters also want to send him off in the very best of fashions," said Imam Zaid Shakir.

Freedom Hall holds special significance to the Ali family. The champ staged his last hometown fight there in 1961.

A Look Back: Ali's Legacy Began In Miami Beach

Thousands more visited Ali's childhood home.

On Friday, a hearse will carry Ali's casket across Louisville ahead of a massive interfaith memorial service at the KFC Yum! Center.

Thousands of free tickets for the event were handed out on a first-come first-served basis.

"Muhammad Ali just means the world to me. He stood for his rights, not only for Louisville but for the world," said Louisville resident Nicole Hayden

Anyone who didn't get a ticket can watch a live stream the service.

Ali died Friday at a Phoenix area hospital after battling Parkinson's disease for more than 30 years. Former President Bill Clinton will be among those eulogizing him at Friday's service.

CBS4's Jim Berry will be reporting from Kentucky starting Thursday. Tune into CBS4 News or check back on cbsmiami.com for the latest information on Muhammad Ali's memorial service.