Mayweather, Pacquiao pay tribute to Ali

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio may have been foes in the ring, but they were united in their sentiments Friday night as they reflected on the impact Muhammad Ali had on their sport.

Ali died Friday at the age of 74 after being admitted to the hospital a day earlier with respiratory issues.

"Words can't explain what Muhammad Ali (did) for the sport of boxing," Mayweather told ESPN. "He's one of the guys that paved the way for me to be where I'm at today.

"We lost a legend, a hero and a great man."

Pacquaio recognized the contributions Ali made both in and out of the ring.

"We lost a giant today," Pacquiao said in a statement. "Boxing benefited from Muhammad Ali's talents but not nearly as much as mankind benefited from his humanity."