NEW DELHI: Indian boxing star Mary Kom mourned her “inspiration” Muham­mad Ali in a tearful interview Saturday, after news of the legendary boxer’s death was confirmed by his family.

The 74-year-old sports hero, who had battled Parkinson’s disease for decades, died Friday in a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

“Most of the boxers are inspired by him,” Kom told television network NDTV by telephone.

“Me also, I was inspired by him to take up boxing, his struggles and the hard work he took in his boxing career,” she said, her voice breaking audibly.

Kom, 33, is a former five-time world champion and one of India’s most successful sports stars.

She is reportedly seeking wildcard entry to the Rio Olympics after devastating fans by losing a crucial qualifying bout in Kazakhstan last month.

“We feel very, very sad that he is no more. We will always remember his contribution to boxing... I will always remember him and keep him in my heart,” she said.

A mother of three, Kom hails from a poor family in the long-neglected and remote northeastern state of Manipur.

Her life inspired a Bollywood biopic in 2014 called “Mary Kom”.

AMIR PAYS TRIBUTE

Meanwhile, British boxer Amir Khan also paid tribute to Ali in a video message from his family’s native Rawalpindi in Pakistan.

“Muhammad Ali was my hero. I’m so happy that I got to meet the guy,” said Khan, who admired every aspect of Ali’s game: his unique skillset, his confidence and his faith.

“He was one of the only fighters who predicted what round he was going to win and then knock his opponent out in that round. That’s something you hardly ever see.

“He used to beat opponents with his mouth before he ever got into the boxing ring. He would win the fight before the fight even happened.”

Amir, a British-born Muslim, said Ali showed courage for converting to Islam in 1960s America.

“What he believed in, he did.”

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2016