Muhammad Ali in Good Spirits: Doctor Eases Grave Health Concerns

Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali has trouble walking but according to his doctor, the 72-year-old is at no major health risk. For someone who has been battling Parkinson's disease for close to 30 years, Ali's physician Dr Abraham Lieberman said the boxer is keeping high spirits.

Contrary to his brother's statements to a London newspaper that Ali was in extremely poor health, Lieberman told BBC's Radio 5 that the former world heavyweight champion was coping well.

"He is in good spirits. He has some trouble walking but, overall, for someone who has had Parkinson's for 30 years he is doing OK," said the doctor, who is also the director of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Centre.

Ali has been suffering from Parkinson's disease since 1984. His brother Rahman had told The Mirror of London that Ali is unable to speak properly. Lieberman though said that all health checkups were fine. "I don't know that he is more or less at risk than anyone else but anything can happen."

Lieberman's opinion comes as another relief for fans and well-wishers of Ali. Earlier last week, his daughter - Hana Ali - had been quoted as saying that her father was doing fine.

"We call him in the mornings, and he still enjoys being Muhammad Ali. He's not in any pain. He has a regular routine he does," she was quoted as saying. "Unfortunately certain family members that don't understand Parkinson's might misspeak because they don't see him as often, so when they do see him, they think he's doing worse than what he is. But he is fine."

Considered one of the greatest boxers ever, the American has been a controversial as well as a motivating figure for people around the world. The gold medalist from 1960 Rome Olympics may have gradually withered with age but if his doctor and daughter are to be believed, continues to trade punches and fight on.