Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has been admitted to hospital in Phoenix to be treated for a respiratory problem.
Family spokesman Bob Gunnell said the three-time former heavyweight champion is in a fair condition and is being treated by doctors as a precaution.
"Ali, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, is being treated by his team of doctors and is in fair condition," Mr Gunnell said in a statement.
"A brief hospital stay is expected. At this time, the Muhammad Ali family respectfully requests privacy."
The Kentucky native was discharged from hospital in January last year after he was briefly treated for a severe urinary tract infection which was initially diagnosed as pneumonia.
Nicknamed "The Greatest", Ali retired from boxing in 1981 with a 56-5 record.
He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, and changed his name in 1964 when he converted to Islam.
Ali, who is also an Olympic gold medallist, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984.
He has looked increasingly frail in public appearances in recent years. His last appearance was on 9 April at the annual Celebrity Fight Night dinner in Phoenix, which raises money for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.
Despite the disease, Ali has kept up a busy schedule until recently, although he has not spoken publicly for years.
Doctors have said the Parkinson's was likely to have been caused by the thousands of punches Ali took during his career.
At one point one of the most recognised people in the world, Ali has lived quietly in the Phoenix area with his fourth wife, Lonnie, whom he married in 1986.
Former boxer Sugar Ray Leonard tweeted: "Prayers & blessings to my idol, my friend & without question, the Greatest of All Time @MuhammadAli!"
Family spokesman Bob Gunnell said the three-time former heavyweight champion is in a fair condition and is being treated by doctors as a precaution.
"Ali, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, is being treated by his team of doctors and is in fair condition," Mr Gunnell said in a statement.
"A brief hospital stay is expected. At this time, the Muhammad Ali family respectfully requests privacy."
The Kentucky native was discharged from hospital in January last year after he was briefly treated for a severe urinary tract infection which was initially diagnosed as pneumonia.
Nicknamed "The Greatest", Ali retired from boxing in 1981 with a 56-5 record.
He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, and changed his name in 1964 when he converted to Islam.
Ali, who is also an Olympic gold medallist, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984.
He has looked increasingly frail in public appearances in recent years. His last appearance was on 9 April at the annual Celebrity Fight Night dinner in Phoenix, which raises money for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.
Despite the disease, Ali has kept up a busy schedule until recently, although he has not spoken publicly for years.
Doctors have said the Parkinson's was likely to have been caused by the thousands of punches Ali took during his career.
At one point one of the most recognised people in the world, Ali has lived quietly in the Phoenix area with his fourth wife, Lonnie, whom he married in 1986.
Former boxer Sugar Ray Leonard tweeted: "Prayers & blessings to my idol, my friend & without question, the Greatest of All Time @MuhammadAli!"
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