Boxing legend Ali's public funeral to be held in hometown

Former U.S. boxer Muhammad Ali (C) attends the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London, Britain, July 28, 2012. (Xinhua/file photo)

WASHINGTON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- A public funeral and memorial service for late boxing legend Muhammad Ali will be held next week in his home town of Louisville, Kentucky, a family spokesman said Saturday.

A private family funeral will take place on Thursday and Ali's coffin will move through the streets of Louisville on Friday, June 10, before a public memorial service at an arena, with former president Bill Clinton among those expected to offer eulogies.

Ali died on Friday at age 74 after a 30-year battle with Parkinson's disease.

Ali claimed the Rome Olympic title at 18 and was a three-time world heavyweight champion. He is also remembered as an outspoken civil activist whose fame transcended the world of sports and made him an iconic figure of the 20th century.