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Muhammad Ali's widow Lonnie says her husband was 'distressed' when he died

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His death in June shocked the world, and Muhammad Ali's widow Lonnie has spoken publicly for the first time since his funeral to discuss how he felt about the world and its problems.

Lonnie appeared on the Today in the US to launch Ali 75, a new programme which she hopes will encourage people to "be like Ali" and donate 75 hours of their time to helping others.

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lonnie1© Photo: Rex

Muhammad Ali was "disappointed" with the world when he died

Interviewer Matt Lauer revealed Muhammad had reached out to him to address the shocking events happening all over the planet, and claimed he voiced his opinion on the "divisions ISIS is causing".

"He was pretty distressed by some of the things going on around the world," Lonnie explained. "Because he felt we had crossed a line, crossed a barrier and he was a little disappointed with that.

"But Muhammad was a man of eternal optimism, he believed in the power of humanity and that is what he touched in people most."

lonnie2© Photo: Rex

Lonnie and Muhammad married in 1986

Discussing the new incentive, which is launching in conjunction with what would have been Muhammad's 75th birthday, Lonnie revealed he spent his whole life giving back to others as he felt it was a duty.

She continued: "The Ali 75, to give 75 hours to others. Because Muhammad has this saying; 'Service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on earth'. And he lived that every day of his life. Every day of his life he believed that. That is actually the path her pursued."

Muhammad died on 4 June at a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, after suffering with a respiratory illness made worse by Parkinson's Disease.  

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