HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - A group of boxing champions gathered in South Florida, Monday, to remember the legendary Muhammad Ali.

Former heavyweight champions Riddick Bowe, Shannon Briggs, Evander Holyfield and Michael Moorer sat down with 7News to discuss the life of the man who was nicknamed “The Greatest.”

All four boxers met Ali at some point in their careers. “He’s my idol, and he encouraged me, and he influenced me to get into boxing, to become successful and to have fun,” said Briggs. “That’s what Ali brought to the game.”

Ali was the heavyweight champion of the world three times. Despite these boxers’ accomplishments, none of them can make that claim.

“He didn’t give up,” said Holyfield. “When he lost, he did it again, and then he did it again, so he’s the only person who’s ever done it three [times].”

Outside of the ring, Ali was credited with humanitarian work around the world. On Friday, he succumbed to Parkinson’s disease at 74.

“I haven’t cried as much in about 30 years,” said Bowe.

“He showed how strong he really could be by battling it for three decades,” said Moorer.

When each boxing legend was asked to use one word to describe Ali, two of them called him “the greatest,” one called him “impeccable,” and the fourth called him “real.”

Ali’s funeral has been scheduled for Friday in Louisville, Kentucky.

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