Muhammad Ali dies: British boxing pays tribute to 'The Greatest Sportsman ever'

Tributes to Muhammad Ali have flooded in from British boxing today.

The sporting icon died in Arizona on Friday night after a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease.

The three-time heavyweight champion dazzled the world with his showmanship, outlandish style and wit throughout a 21-year career.

His inspirational impact was not restricted to the ring courtesy of a prominent role in the civil rights movement and his refusal to fight in the Vietnam war.

But although Ali was undoubtedly one of few athletes capable of transcending sport he clearly helped to inspire future generations of boxers, many of whom count him as an idol.

Ricky Hatton, Barry McGuigan, Anthony Joshua and Amir Khan were among the British fighters to react to Ali's death on social media and hail him as 'The Greatest.'

Former heavyweight champion David Haye also revealed today he only got in to boxing because of Ali as he longed to replicate his idol's achievements.