Muhammad Ali funeral live on DStv

Johannesburg - The Muhammad Ali pop-up channel (DStv channel 199) will broadcast the legendary boxer’s funeral live at 20:00 (SA time) on Friday.

The three-time heavyweight champion, who died last week, will be laid to rest at Cavehill Cemetery in Louisville, following a Muslim prayer service that was held on Thursday.

Actor Will Smith, who played Ali in the film of the same name, and ex-champion Lennox Lewis will be among the pallbearers, while former US president Bill Clinton will deliver one of the eulogies. Other speakers will include actor Billy Crystal and representatives of multiple faiths, including Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism and Mormonism.

Tens of thousands of Ali fans are expected to line the streets for the procession, while free tickets for the 18 000-strong memorial service were quickly snapped up. Ali himself demanded that fans - not just VIPs - be part of any send-off.

The pop-up channel will continue throughout the weekend.