Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has been awarded the Liberty Award in recognition of his long-time commitment to civil rights, religious freedom and humanitarian causes. Ali, who has been fighting against Parkinson's disease for 30 years, received the award in the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia late Thursday.
The former boxer, 70, did not say anything as he received the award from his daughter Laila Ali, but his wife Lonnie said that he considered it a great honour and overwhelming. The Liberty Award is awarded annually and is one of the highest civil awards in the US. Amongst those who have received it previously are South Africa's first post-Apartheid president Nelson Mandela and former US president Jimmy Carter.