Muhammad Ali in hospital with 'respiratory issue'

The former heavyweight champion is being treated by doctors as a precaution his spokesman Bob Gunnell said.

The 74-year-old is in “fair” condition and a brief hospital stay is expected, he said.

Ali has battled Parkinson's disease for years, after being diagnosed about three years after he retired from boxing.

In a statement, Mr Gunnell said: “Ali, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, is being treated by his team of doctors and is in a fair condition.

“A brief hospital stay is expected.

“A this time, the Muhammed Ali family respectfully requests privacy.”

Mr Gunnell declined to say where Ali is in hospital or when he was admitted.

Ali, who retired from his sport in 1981, recently cancelled a planned appearance in London to open an exhibition about his life.