Former world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, passed away today in the US city of Phoenix, Arizona, after falling ill with a respiratory illness on Thursday.

Tributes from across the sporting world are being paid to boxing legend who died aged 74.

Barcelona star Arda Turan also paid his respects to Ali today via his official twitter account tweeting out a picture of the boxer along with one of his famous quotes.

//twitter.com/ArdaTuran/status/738981529746018304

Ali was renowned for his inspirational quotes and messages throughout his career and lifetime.

The boxing legend enjoyed worldwide popularity including Turkey where he was also loved.

Ali was named the world heavyweight champion by the World Boxing Association three different times, in 1964, 1974, and 1978.

Also an Olympic gold medalist, Ali was an iconic figure and cultural icon throughout the sporting and non sporting world as a cultural icon.

Turan is currently in Turkey preparing for the European Championships this summer and is likely to feature for the Crescent Stars against Slovenia on Sunday.

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