Muhammad Ali in his home town of Louisville, Kentucky

Ali’s body will ride in a kilometres-long procession spanning his life — f-rom his boyhood home whe-re he shadow-boxed and dreamt of greatness to the boulevard that bears his name and the museum that stands as a lasting tribute to his boxing triumphs and his humanitarian causes outside the ring.

Pallbearers place Muhammad Ali's casket in the hearse as it prepares to begin a procession through the fighter's hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Picture: APSource:AP

A woman spreads roses along the entrance way to Cave Hill Cemetery as police stand guard before the arrival of Muhammad Ali's funeral procession. Picture: APSource:AP

The send-off for the three-time heavyweight champion and global advocate for social justice looms as one of the city’s most historic events.

“We’ve all been dreading the passing of The Champ, but at the same time we knew ultimately it would come,” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said.

A man walks down the street with a huge painting of boxing legend Muhammad Ali outside his childhood home whe-re mourners wait to pay their respects to a funeral procession. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

Tymetrius Steward, 3, wears boxing gloves to honour Muhammad Ali. Picture: APSource:AP

“It was selfish for us to think that we could hold on to him forever. Our job now, as a city, is to send him off with the class and dignity and respect that he deserves.”

Ali died last Friday at 74 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. The procession and memorial service follow a traditional Muslim funeral service held Thursday afternoon. The faithful travelled f-rom all over the world to pay their respects.

Thousands more are expected to line the procession route Friday to wave a final goodbye to the city’s favourite son.

Muhammad Ali's second wife Khalilah Camacho-Ali (left), his fourth wife Lonnie Ali (centre), and daughter Laila Ali (right), holding a grandchild, attend an Islamic prayer service in Louisville, Kentucky. Picture: GettySource:Getty Images

Crowds line the route of the procession led by the hearse carrying the body of Muhammad Ali in Louisville. Picture: APSource:AP

The motorcade will begin at the funeral home and head north onto the interstate. It will pause briefly as it overlooks the Muhammad Ali Center in the heart of downtown.

The cars will head west onto Muhammad Ali Boulevard, pass the Kentucky Centre for African-American Heritage and visit his childhood home on Grand Avenue.

The flower-covered hearse carrying Muhammad Ali makes its way down Broadway as the funeral procession makes its way to the cemetery in Louisville, Ky. Friday, June 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)Source:AP

A Muhammad Ali action figure sits on the seat of a bicycle as fans await the funeral procession for the late boxing champion to make its way down Muhammad Ali Boulevard in Louisville. Picture: APSource:AP

Then it will turn toward his final resting place. Officials predict a 90-minute tour.

The procession ends at Cave Hill Cemetery whe-re his family and closest friends will gather for a private burial.

Young fighter Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) is seen at City Parks Gym in New York in 1962. Picture: APSource:AP

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan visit Muhammad Ali Museum in Louisville. Picture: APSource:AP

At 2pm local time, thousands will gather at the KFC Yum Centre a final send-off befitting The Greatest.

The service will feature a eulogy by former President Bill Clinton, a longtime friend, and remarks by comedian Billy Crystal, television journalist Bryant Gumbel and the champ’s wife, Lonnie. The king of Jordan and president of Turkey will attend.

US President Barack Obama was unable to make the trip because his daughter, Malia, is graduating f-rom high school. Valerie Jarrett, a senior White House adviser, will read a letter Obama wrote to Ali’s family at the service.

Muhammad Ali, left, hugs former U.S. President Bill Clinton as he walks onstage at the grand opening gala celebration for the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville in 2005. Picture: APSource:AP

The memorial is expected to draw 15,000 people and will bookend a weeklong series of planned services and spontaneous celebrations.

The Ali Center stopped c-harging people for admission. A tour company began impromptu tours of Ali’s path through the city. Businesses printed his quotes across their billboards. City buses flashed “Ali — The Greatest” in orange lights across their marquees. A downtown bridge said it would be lit the rest of the week in red and gold: red for his gloves and gold for his medal. How can the storied life of a man revered by fans worldwide be encapsulated in a two-hour service? As it turns out, Ali called the shots.

Years ago, the champ signed off on how he wished to say goodbye to the world. One of his mandates was that ordinary fans attend, not just VIPs. Thousands of free tickets were snatched up within an hour, many fans waiting hours for the chance to witness history. “Everybody feels a sense of loss with Ali’s passing,” said Mustafa Abdush-Shakur, who travelled f-rom Connecticut to pay tribute to him. “But there’s no need to be sad for him. We’re all going to make that trip.”