Ali died of septic shock; funeral to be held Friday along with public procession

Muhammad Ali died of septic shock "due to unspecified natural causes," a family spokesman announced during a press conference Saturday afternoon, less than 24 hours after the iconic pugilist passed away.

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"He did not suffer," said Bob Gunnell, who noted that Ali was admitted to hospital on Monday, and died Friday at 9:10 p.m. MST, surrounded by family in his final hours.

Gunnell added that Ali's funeral will be held in his hometown of Louisville, Ky., this coming Friday, and will be preceded by a public procession that begins at 9 a.m.

The funeral service, scheduled for 2 p.m. ET at the KFC Yum! Center, will also be open to the public, with eulogies provided by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Billy Crystal, and Bryant Gumbel.