LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Actor Will Smith, who portrayed Muhammad Ali in the movie “Ali,” and former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis are among eight pallbearers for Ali’s memorial service this week in Louisville.
Also serving is Jerry Ellis, brother of Jimmy Ellis, who was Ali’s former sparring partner and former world heavyweight champion.
Ali family spokesman Bob Gunnell said Monday that the others are relatives or friends of Ali: cousins John Grady and Jan Wadell, nephew Ibn Ali, former brother-in-law Komawi Ali and family friend John Ramsey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and King Abdullah II of Jordan had been scheduled to speak at the service at the KFC Yum! Center. However, Gunnell said Monday that two other speakers are going to be added to the current program, meaning there won’t be room for foreign dignitaries. He says the names of the two additional speakers will be revealed later.
The service is set for 2 p.m. Friday.
Ali died last Friday in Arizona following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 74.


