Viewers vote Ali greatest sportsman

MUHAMMAD ALI, three-times world heavyweight boxing champion, always said that he was "the Greatest" and last night the British public agreed by naming him BBC Sports Personality of the Century.

Ali, 57, is suffering from Parkinson's disease but, collecting his award at a ceremony in London, he proved that he had lost none of his charm and wit. After thanking the British people for "this great welcome" and the award, he said: "I had a good time boxing, I enjoyed it - and I may come back!"

Ali beat the legendary Brazilian footballer Pele, record-breaking Australian batsman Sir Donald Bradman, champion golfer Jack Nicklaus, footballer George Best and Jesse Owens, who won four golds at the 1936 Olympics.

The boxer Lennox Lewis was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year.