Muhammad Ali is so ill he could die within days, his brother has warned. Rahman Ali said the former world heavyweight champion cannot speak and no longer recognises him.

He told the Sun: "My brother can't speak, he doesn't recognise me. He's in a bad way. He's very sick. It could be months, it could be days. I don't know if he'll last the summer. He's in God's hands. We hope he gently passes away.

"He told me before he got really bad that he's in no pain. He grabbed my arm and whispered 'Rah, I've achieved everything I've ever wanted to accomplish. Don't cry for me, I'm in no pain.' It's best he goes now. The longer he goes on, so does his suffering and misery."

Ali won gold at the 1960 Olympics and after turning professional went on to become a three-times world heavyweight champion.

The 71-year-old had several famous fights during his career, including 1974's 'Rumble in the Jungle' with George Foreman and the 'Thrilla in Manila' against Joe Frazier the following year.

Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1984 but remained active for many years. He memorably lit the Olympic flame in Atlanta in 1996.