On the passing of Muhammad Ali

We were deeply saddened to learn of the death, today, in the United States, of Muhammad Ali, boxing golden medalist at the 1960 Olympics in Rome and former world heavyweight boxing champion.

An unparalleled sporting figure of his time, Ali leaves a legacy of a life dedicated to the struggle for civil rights that transcended the boundaries of sport, and a personal history of support for the spiritual, social and economic development of African-descent people. As a boxer and activist, Muhammad Ali will be remembered for overcoming physical and social obstacles.

José Serra
Minister of Foreign Affairs