"So Sad" was the tabloid Daily Mirror 's headline, referring to Ali's physical condition, but most papers ran eulogies of the former boxing hero.

You see, our boxing hero was doing roadwork early in the morning when he heard this cry for help.

RANDOM FACT Counts Muhammad Ali and Floyd Mayweather as his boxing heroes.

Imelda is the second-richest Philippine politician behind boxing hero and congressman Manny Pacquiao.

Buglioni's boxing hero is Oscar De La Hoya, as well as the late great Arturo 'Thunder' Gatti another Italian fighter full of heart and packed a punch.

Britain's 27-year-old new boxing hero now meets Holyfield or Riddick Bowe in the spring for that title - a clash it is estimated will earn him £4 million.

Murray occupies some of his down-time watching fight tapes and reading about his boxing heroes - none bigger than Muhammad Ali, who turned 70 on Tuesday.

Amongst his boxing heroes are Naseem Hamed, Junior Witter and Sugar Ray Leonard.

What is more, the Mexican boxing hero has remained the top contender in the junior-welterweight class (140 pounds), even though he has not fought at that weight since March 1998.

James J. Corbett was a boxing hero of the time while Courtney was the underdog.