Muhammad Ali on life support as family is warned 'the end is near'

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali is in intensive care embroiled in his most courageous bout - for his life.

The children of the sporting icon have rushed to be at his bedside as doctors treating the former heavyweight champ have told them they fear he “is near the end”.

Already four of the 74-year-old’s nine children, including daughters Laila, Hana and Maryum, are at the hospital in the Phoenix area where medics continue to fight a breathing problem picked up by the star.

The children flew in last night from around the US as doctors said the future survival of the champ was “uncertain”.

Although there were discussions about transporting him to another area of the hospital, sources claimed doctors decided the move “potentially could be deadly,” and the transfer was called off.

Sources close to the star say Ali’s battle with his respiratory problem has been complicated by the Parkinson's that he was diagnosed with in the 1980s.

“Like in the ring, Ali is a fighter on the ward,” said a source. “Doctors are working to regulate his breathing put it is being hampered by his Parkinson’s.

“His children are all extremely concerned and dropped everything to be with him. They fear the worst.

“Ali is everything to them and there are worried his problems are worse than first feared.”

The boxer has children - two sons and seven daughters - from three marriages although two of his kids are from extra marital relationships.

Confirming his daughters had flown to be with him the fighter’s third wife Veronica Porche, 60, said Laila – a 38-year-old retired professional boxer — and Hana Yasmeen, 40, were with him.

Ali’s second wife, Khalilah, 66, said one of her three daughters by Ali “is on her way” to the hospital as well.

She was married to him from 1967 to 1997, and was succeeded by Porche.

Maryum, who is extremely close to her father, was the daughter Ali’s first wife Belinda Boyd.They are joined by Ali's current wife Lonnie.

Yesterday a spokesman for the ex heavyweight champion confirmed to the Mirror Ali was under medical care and described his condition as “fair”.

"Ali, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, is being treated by his team of doctors and is in fair condition," said Bob Gunnell in a written statement.

The children of the sporting icon have rushed to be at his bedside as doctors treating the former heavyweight champ have told them they fear he “is near the end”.

Already four of the 74-year-old’s nine children, including daughters Laila, Hana and Maryum, are at the hospital in the Phoenix area where medics continue to fight a breathing problem picked up by the star.

The children flew in last night from around the US as doctors said the future survival of the champ was “uncertain”.

Although there were discussions about transporting him to another area of the hospital, sources claimed doctors decided the move “potentially could be deadly,” and the transfer was called off.

Sources close to the star say Ali’s battle with his respiratory problem has been complicated by the Parkinson's that he was diagnosed with in the 1980s.

“Like in the ring, Ali is a fighter on the ward,” said a source. “Doctors are working to regulate his breathing put it is being hampered by his Parkinson’s.

“His children are all extremely concerned and dropped everything to be with him. They fear the worst.

Muhammad Ali with current wife Yolanda and their son Asaad

Ali watched daughter Laila's career with pride

“Ali is everything to them and there are worried his problems are worse than first feared.”

The boxer has children - two sons and seven daughters - from three marriages although two of his kids are from extra marital relationships.

Confirming his daughters had flown to be with him the fighter’s third wife Veronica Porche, 60, said Laila – a 38-year-old retired professional boxer — and Hana Yasmeen, 40, were with him.

Ali’s second wife, Khalilah, 66, said one of her three daughters by Ali “is on her way” to the hospital as well.

She was married to him from 1967 to 1997, and was succeeded by Porche.

Maryum, who is extremely close to her father, was the daughter Ali’s first wife Belinda Boyd.They are joined by Ali's current wife Lonnie.

Ali is the world's foremost sporting icon

Yesterday a spokesman for the ex heavyweight champion confirmed to the Mirror Ali was under medical care and described his condition as “fair”.

"Ali, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, is being treated by his team of doctors and is in fair condition," said Bob Gunnell in a written statement.

"A brief hospital stay is expected. At this time, the Muhammad Ali family respectfully requests privacy."

Since he was admitted sources say Ali, arguably the most recognised person in the world, has deteriorated.