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Muhammad Ali picks his side in the Fight of the Century

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Sports News Muhammad Ali picks his side in the Fight of the Century
APR 1, 2015 LISTEN

Mark down the most formidable of allies for Manny Pacquiao. Muhammad Ali -- "The Greatest" -- has chosen his side in the Fight of the Century, opting to back Pacquiao when he takes on Floyd Mayweather on May 2.

Speaking with TMZ,  Ali's daughter told them that her "dad is Team Pacquiao all the way." Although Ali, 73, won't be sitting ringside when the fight goes down, he'll be watching the fight like the rest of us.

"My dad really likes Manny," Rasheda Ali told TMZ. "He's a huge fan of his."

According to Rasheda, Ali's reasoning involves more than boxing. He's also apparently a fan of what Pacquiao does outside of the ring. Pacquiao runs the Manny Pacquiao Fund, which aims to aid the underprivileged in his home country -- the Philippines.

"He knows Manny's a great fighter ... but it's more about what he does outside the ring," Rasheda said. "He's such a charitable person."

Throughout his illustrious boxing career and even after he retired, Ali was very politically and socially active. In 1985, he helped secure the release of four hostages in Lebanon. During the first Gulf War, he helped secure the release of 15 United States hostages. And when Nelson Mandela was released from prison, Ali was there to greet him.

"I've always wanted to be more than just a boxer," Ali once said. "More than just the three-time heavyweight champion. I wanted to use my fame, and this face that everyone knows so well, to help uplift and inspire people around the world."

According to Rasheda, there isn't much of a comparison to draw between Mayweather and her father.

"My dad stood for things," she said. "Mayweather ... I don't think there's a comparison."

Muhammad Ali is the latest to weigh in on Mayweather-Pacquiao.

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