Muhammad Ali: When The Greatest visited the Wolverhampton and the West Midlands

Ali spent time in the West Midlands taking in Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Coventry in 1979 and 1983.

Ali visited the The Sheraton in Raglan Street, Wolverhampton, where he gave a speech to fans who were packed in tightly.

After the event Ali took a tour in a golden Rolls Royce, seeing sights as the Unit Sales DIY store after lunch at the Royal Court Hotel.

Tony Wilson, 55, who teaches boxing at Arena Gym in Willenhall, was an amateur boxing champion when he met Ali in Handsworth in 1983.

He said: "I was very sad to hear he passed away. I met him in Handsworth. He stopped and asked who we were and started shadow boxing with us in the street. It was one of the highlights of my life. I went to bed that night and couldn't stop dreaming about it. He was very humble for what he achieved. If I can get a fighter with just a quarter of his skill I would consider myself blessed. It's a very sad day. He was an ambassador for boxing."

Trustee of Wolverhampton Boxing Club Gary Bate said Ali's passing was a big loss to boxing. He recalled seeing Ali at a club in Wolverhampton during 1979 and meeting Ali's friend Bill Tate down in London in 1998.

He said: "It is deeply sad news for boxing, Ali was massive for boxing and a legend. He still inspires kids in boxing today, they still walk through the door of the boxing club. I remember seeing him when he visited the Sheraton Club in Wolverhampton in the 70s. I met his friend Bill Tate in London during an international boxing conference, and I got a photo of Bill and Ali signed from them both and addressed to my family. We have pictures of Ali in our club and we will be putting up more soon in tribute."