Ali, Bumaye! Boxing Legend's Birthday Bash

Fans and friends of Muhammad Ali have greeted the boxing legend with chanting and singing as he celebrates his 70th birthday.

They cheered on the three-time world heavyweight champion when he attended a private birthday party in his hometown of Louisville.

Ali, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, walked slowly to a second-floor balcony overlooking the crowd which clapped, broke into chants of "Ali! Ali!" and sang happy birthday.

Ali leaned against a hand rail and raised his right hand to wave to the crowd.

Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, who was among 350 party guests, said his boyhood idol is "still the greatest".

"I feel so proud and honoured that we're able to show our feelings and show our support for him," Lewis said.

Lewis said Ali's strength and influence have extended far beyond the boxing ring in his humanitarian efforts.

Ali turns 70 on Tuesday, and the party in his hometown is the first of five planned in the next few months.

His wife, Lonnie, has said her husband has mixed feelings about reaching the milestone.

"He's glad he's here to turn 70, but he wants to be reassured he doesn't look 70," she said.

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr on January 17, 1942, Ali took up boxing at age 12, when his bike was stolen and he wanted to find and punish the culprit.

He won the heavyweight title in 1964, defeating the heavily-favoured Sonny Liston.

Soon after, Ali - who was raised in a Baptist family - announced his conversion to Islam and changed his name.

While in his prime, Ali was stripped of his heavyweight crown in 1967 for refusing to be drafted for US military service during the Vietnam War, citing religious beliefs.

His most famous bout came in 1974 when he defeated George Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle". A year later, he outlasted Joe Frazier in the epic "Thrilla in Manila" bout.

Ali's last title came in 1978 when he defeated Leon Spinks.

He retired from boxing in 1981 and has devoted himself to social causes and travelling the world on humanitarian missions.