Boxing icon Muhammad Ali mourned by sports world

Muhammad Ali's death at the age of 74 on Friday night shook the sports world. Athletes from all corners of the world weighed in on the icon's impact, talking about how Ali affected their careers and the world at large.

pic.twitter.com/Jr5HcJRmeA

— Muhammad Ali (@MuhammadAli) June 4, 2016

His hometown of Louisville is honoring the champ:

To honor Muhammad Ali's life & work, flags at all Metro Government facilities will be lowered to half-staff at 10am pic.twitter.com/Qm5xjkk6qr

— Mayor Greg Fischer (@louisvillemayor) June 4, 2016

Boxing and combat sports:

Nobody will ever come close to this mans greatness.
And if they do, they better wake up and apologise. #RIPAli pic.twitter.com/ED2wgignB2

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 4, 2016

It's been said it was Rope a dope, Ali beat me with no his beauty that beat me. Most beauty I've know loved him pic.twitter.com/G64WX3eyZC

— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) June 4, 2016

God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli #TheGreatest #RIP pic.twitter.com/jhXyqOuabi

— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) June 4, 2016

Manny Pacquiao releases a statement on the passing of Muhammad Ali. pic.twitter.com/hRa2kM3CLr

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 4, 2016

RIP @muhammadali, a legend who transcended sport and was a true champion for all. #thegreatest #MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/vjmXlXaHip

— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) June 4, 2016

My heart hurts to hear the news just now about one of my heroes and one of the greatest boxers of all time Muhammad Ali RIP #GOAT #inspiration #legend

A photo posted by Chuck Liddell (@chuckliddell) on Jun 3, 2016 at 10:08pm PDT

The Greatest. In boxing and in life, an inspiration to mankind. https://t.co/lfgd3H2gaT

— Gennady Golovkin (@GGGBoxing) June 4, 2016

Se nos fue mi ídolo. Siempre te voy a recordar como el mejor y seguiré tu ejemplo. Tu leyenda vivirá para siempre. pic.twitter.com/kJmR9V2QHu

— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) June 4, 2016

Bob Arum on Ali's death tonight - June 3, 2016 pic.twitter.com/yKP9bxGnhv

— Michele Steele (@ESPNMichele) June 4, 2016

RIP. The Greatest Of All Time. #MuhammedAli pic.twitter.com/m3zKroLHK7

— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) June 4, 2016

Always my favorite. Always the greatest. @MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/thjZHGS4iU

— Adonis Stevenson (@AdonisSuperman) June 4, 2016

R.I.P. To the G.O.A.T. My man hero Muhammad Ali.... pic.twitter.com/YCGjWdWR6l

— Andre Berto (@AndreBerto) June 4, 2016

Rest in peace to my biggest inspiration pic.twitter.com/gqIuuxSpC1

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 4, 2016

Baseball:

We've lost a giant in Muhammad Ali. He did things his own way and I am so appreciative to have known him for so long. God rest his soul.

— Hank Aaron (@HenryLouisAaron) June 4, 2016

Vin remembers The Greatest of All Time.https://t.co/nL3UpCQmka

— MLB (@MLB) June 4, 2016

Rest in peace, Muhammad Ali. pic.twitter.com/wueYPygG5e

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 4, 2016

Wow completely devastated right now! I was blessed with the opportunity to meet you and share words with you, I will forever cherish this photo of that moment. We lost not only the greatest boxer of all time but one of the greatest athletes and human beings ever. Thank you for everything you gave us champ! #MuhammadAli #RIP 💔💔💔😢😢😢 My deepest condolences to his family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

A photo posted by Carlos Gomez (@realcarlosgomez) on Jun 3, 2016 at 9:39pm PDT

Forever a champion. #RIPAli pic.twitter.com/cPjMwSwije

— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) June 4, 2016

The best there ever was and ever will be! Rest easy, Champ #ALI

A photo posted by Bryce Harper (@bharper3407) on Jun 3, 2016 at 9:54pm PDT

Muhammad Ali. The Greatest. Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/Rji6KryXeN

— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) June 4, 2016

Rest in peace to an icon who always stood his ground, The Champ, Muhammad Ali. pic.twitter.com/MD7NOMXDq2

— #VoteCubs (@Cubs) June 4, 2016

Rest easy, Champ. https://t.co/p5aeQUhyC6

— MLB (@MLB) June 4, 2016

Basketball:

We may never again see an American hero quite like Muhammad Ali. RIP to the greatest champion of all. pic.twitter.com/Ji6ZdyldCL

— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) June 4, 2016

"It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe"
-Muhammad Ali #RIPMuhammadAli

— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) June 4, 2016

Muhammad Ali and I share the same birthday and that alone made me feel I had purpose. Yes, he was a great boxer, the greatest of all but as a courageous humanitarian, that is where his brilliance spoke loudest to me. He made me believe I could become HIM. I could be my own man, use my own voice, stand up for my beliefs AND be respected for what I do on my battle field which is the court. He was strong, proud and vocal... a black man who lead by words and action. Misunderstood and unappreciated for most of his life. Thanks for standing for all but especially your own. It was always my honor to be in his presence and I am a better man for it. #RIPALI

A photo posted by dwyanewade (@dwyanewade) on Jun 4, 2016 at 8:46am PDT

My thoughts & prayers go out to Muhammad Ali's family. My long statement is posted onhttps://t.co/3E8awvpT08 pic.twitter.com/aEVzMacHg0

— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) June 4, 2016

@SacramentoKings Ali loved the Kings for giving me a shot to coach in the @NBA he came 2 see me coach vs Suns in Nov. Promised n delivered

— Nancy Lieberman (@NancyLieberman) June 4, 2016

"If my mind can conceive it & my heart can believe it-then I can achieve it." Muhammad Ali taught us all to dream. pic.twitter.com/my6Cdw2p12

— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) June 4, 2016

Was one of the most special moments of my life. R.I.P to the one and only @muhammadali #GOAT #hislegacylivesforever

A photo posted by Karl-Anthony Towns (@karltowns) on Jun 3, 2016 at 9:33pm PDT

"The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life!" -Ali #TheGreatest

A photo posted by Chris Paul (@cp3) on Jun 3, 2016 at 9:58pm PDT

Rest in Paradise Ali🙏🏾 #greatestofalltime My thoughts & prayers are with @thereallailaali & her whole family.. ❤️ May God be you alls comforter🙏🏾 #MuhammadAli

A photo posted by Swin Cash (@swincash) on Jun 3, 2016 at 9:45pm PDT

We are saddened to learn tonight of the passing of one of our longtime supporters & PHX resident @MuhammadAli. pic.twitter.com/xLMnboQtZR

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 4, 2016

Football:

My thoughts on the passing of the greatest. #RIPMuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/hmmBMG4HvM

— Larry Fitzgerald (@LarryFitzgerald) June 4, 2016

RIP Ali one of the greatest and most inspirational athletes of all time! #FloatLikeAButterfly pic.twitter.com/emcqluOvOW

— Mike Evans (@MikeEvans13_) June 4, 2016

Rip Champ you will always be the Goat ❤️😔 pic.twitter.com/kKegCW9Wnf

— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) June 4, 2016

G.O.A.T You will be missed but never forgotten. #MuhammadAli

A photo posted by Russell Wilson (@dangerusswilson) on Jun 3, 2016 at 9:40pm PDT

Greatest of All Time.
Inspiration.
Legend.
Rest in Peace Champ.#Ali

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 4, 2016

We will never forget Muhammad Ali, including his visit months before we won Super Bowl XLVII. #TheGreatest

📄: https://t.co/W8R1ULv9bx

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 4, 2016

Larger Than Life! RIP pic.twitter.com/yKi2KmwH5n

— Jimmy Graham (@TheJimmyGraham) June 4, 2016

Other notable reactions:

The true GOAT. What a sad day for everyone to loose someone so great and kind and someone who really stood up for what they believed in. He was my hero. He always will be. #muhammadali #cassiusclay

A photo posted by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Jun 4, 2016 at 9:41am PDT

You'll always be The Greatest for more than just what you did in the ring. A champion to so many people in so many ways.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) June 4, 2016

Mohammad Ali was the first athlete I was truly inspired by. He was a true champion and forever a legend. RIP Muhammad Ali.

— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) June 4, 2016

#GreatestOfAllTime pic.twitter.com/aNZ4DLi2uo

— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) June 4, 2016

RIP Muhammad Ali - an incredible athlete, an extraordinary showman; a man who changed the world. pic.twitter.com/ez1F8qDqmm

— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) June 4, 2016

"The Greatest" made such an impact on the entire world #RIPMuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/LECBjQgfJA

— John Cena (@JohnCena) June 4, 2016