Muhammad Ali receives Liberty Medal for humanitarian role
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Former boxing champion Muhammad Ali (centre) waves to the crowd after being presented with the 2012 Liberty Medal, along side with his daughter Laila Ali (left), wife Lonnie Ali (second, left), sister-in-law Marilyn Williams (centre, right), and US Olympic Gold Medalists Clarissa Shields (second, right) and Susan Francia (right) during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center on Independence Mall on Sept 13, 2012 in Historic Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Lonnie Ali, wife of boxing great Muhammad Ali, speaks after her husband was awarded the Liberty Medal at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Sept 13, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Laila Ali, daughter of boxing great Muhammad Ali, speaks during the presentation of the Liberty Medal at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Sept 13, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Singer Roberta Flack performs after retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali received the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
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Joe Louis Barrow II, son of boxer Joe Louis, speaks before retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali received the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
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ABC News anchor David Muir speaks before retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali received the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
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Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett speaks before retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali received the Liberty Medal for his humanitarian work, during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
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Actor Terrence Howard speaks before retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali receives the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
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People applaud as retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali, third from left on stage, arrives to receive the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
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Retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali, center, is looks down at his Liberty Medal flanked by his daughter Laila Ali, from left, wife Lonnie Ali, sister-in-law Marilyn Williams and David Eisner, President and chief executive officer of the National Constitution Center, looks on during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
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Retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali, center, waves alongside his wife Lonnie Ali, left, and his sister-in-law Marilyn Williams, right, after receiving the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
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Retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali receives the Liberty Medal from his daughter Laila Ali during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
Former boxing champion Muhammad Ali (centre) waves to the crowd after being presented with the 2012 Liberty Medal, along side with his daughter Laila Ali (left), wife Lonnie Ali (second, left), sister-in-law Marilyn Williams (centre, right), and US Olympic Gold Medalists Clarissa Shields (second, right) and Susan Francia (right) during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center on Independence Mall on Sept 13, 2012 in Historic Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. -- PHOTO: AFP
Lonnie Ali, wife of boxing great Muhammad Ali, speaks after her husband was awarded the Liberty Medal at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Sept 13, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Laila Ali, daughter of boxing great Muhammad Ali, speaks during the presentation of the Liberty Medal at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Sept 13, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Singer Roberta Flack performs after retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali received the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
Joe Louis Barrow II, son of boxer Joe Louis, speaks before retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali received the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
ABC News anchor David Muir speaks before retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali received the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett speaks before retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali received the Liberty Medal for his humanitarian work, during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
Actor Terrence Howard speaks before retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali receives the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
People applaud as retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali, third from left on stage, arrives to receive the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
Retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali, center, is looks down at his Liberty Medal flanked by his daughter Laila Ali, from left, wife Lonnie Ali, sister-in-law Marilyn Williams and David Eisner, President and chief executive officer of the National Constitution Center, looks on during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
Retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali, center, waves alongside his wife Lonnie Ali, left, and his sister-in-law Marilyn Williams, right, after receiving the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
Retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali receives the Liberty Medal from his daughter Laila Ali during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, on Thursday, Sept 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. -- PHOTO: AP
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Retired boxing great Muhammad Ali has been awarded the Liberty Medal in Philadelphia for his longtime role as a fighter outside the ring for humanitarian causes, civil rights and religious freedom.
The award was presented in a ceremony at the National Constitution Center on Thursday.
A frail Ali did not speak, but stood with assistance to receive the medal from his daughter, Laila. His wife Lonnie said Ali was honored and humbled to be a beacon of liberty.
Since hanging up his gloves in 1981, Ali has traveled extensively on international charitable missions and devoted his time to social causes.
