However, it took less than 48 hours before the legend left by Islam’s pugilistic prophet of peace was desecrated by an act of indescribable horror and depravity a few states away in Florida.

Sadly, that is the ugly way of the world these days.

Ali himself would have been outraged, as he was after 9/11 and all other acts of terrorism ostensibly carried out in the name of his religion.

The passing of The Greatest was marked and mourned across the globe, not least in Manchester where Geoff Thomson’s Youth Charter for Sport, the official representatives in the UK for Louisville’s the Muhammad Ali Center, carry out much good work among the young in his name. 

Also, David Haye, one Ali’s successors as world heavyweight champion, can be something a of a "bandwagonner" but at least his campaign to get an honorary knighthood for Ali began four months before his death.

Soon after Ali died last Friday, Haye re-opened a petition on change.org to mark Ali's contribution to boxing in Great Britain. It immediately attracted more than 25,000 signatures, and Haye says he is determined to at least have the subject discussed at the highest of levels in Government.

Of course any knighthood now would have to be posthumous and current laws do not allow for that. Two similar petitions for England’s World Cup-winning captain Sir Bobby Moore to be knighted remain unrealised.

But Haye argues: “I believe Muhammad Ali is the perfect recipient. Whilst it is a huge shame this did not happen when he was alive, to award it posthumously in honour of the incredible legacy he leaves would be perfectly fitting."

Good luck with that. Meantime we hear the Hayemaker has been defending the quality of his two comeback opponents by suggesting to friends that as a former world champion absent from the ring for three-and-a-half years, he is entitled to a couple of easy touches on his return.

Perhaps he might like to consider that his great idol Ali was in an identical scenario back in 1970 but elected to step back not against a couple of pushovers from Palookaville but top-ranked contenders in Jerry Quarry and Oscar Bonavena respectively, two of the roughest, toughest hombres around at the time.

And next up was Joe Frazier, not a shot Shannon Briggs. That’s why he was and always will be The Greatest.

Talking of bandwagons, if there is one passing you can be certain another ex-world champion boxer, Chris Eubank, will have jumped aboard, his son hanging on to his coat-tails.

If there is a boxing party the uninvited Eubanks will be the first gatecrashers, dad sniffing around to see what’s in it for junior.

First we had the near-tragedy when Nick Blackwell ended up in an induced coma after being knocked out by Chris Jr in a British middleweight title fight.

The Eubanks angered the Blackwell family by summoning a media conference against their express wishes in which the pair expressed concern for Nick but took the opportunity to emphasise what a dangerous puncher Chris Jr is becoming - according to his dad.

Subsequently, Eubank Jr offered to give Blackwell his Lonsdale Belt - when it was not his to give as he hasn’t won it outright yet.

They should have kept their heads down and left well alone.

Then, when called up to comment about the death of Muhammad Ali on ITV’s Good Morning Britain Chris Sr couldn’t help linking The Greatest to himself and his son’s potential, much to the opprobrium of many fans.

One tweeted this to host Piers Morgan: "Did Chris Eubank really just promote his son whilst discussing the greatest!?"

Another then posted: "Whilst eulogising about Ali on @GMB Chris Eubank manages to shoehorn in that his son will be competing at the Olympics #B**"

Shortly afterwards, a different viewer commented: "Chris Eubank is a right t****r. Goes on #GMB to talk about Muhammad Ali and talks about himself. Irritating b**tard."

His reference to the Olympics also caused anger because when it was confirmed that pros were now eligible to box in the Games Eubank immediately volunteered Chris Jr as GB’s middleweight representative; but he must have known that Liverpool’s Anthony Fowler had already qualified and been selected.

The only reason he was suggesting jocking off Fowler must be to get publicity for his son. Fortunately Team GB would not play punchball with such a noxious notion.

Chris, we’ve loved you, applauded you and laughed at you. You are a card and were a great fighter. But now you are becoming an irritant who is getting up more people’s noses than your left jab ever did those of your opponents.

You briefly changed your name this year to ‘English’ because you said you wanted to be part of this country’s great traditions and heritage.

But your blatant bandwagonning is very un-English. Think about it. 

Also alienating the fans is Amir Khan, whose name failed to appear - yet again - in the latest UK Honours List after offering his services to Pakistan for the forthcoming Olympics where professionals are now technically eligible.

I am not suggesting that is the reason for his omission but it certainly hasn’t helped his cause - even though he now says his gesture was "misinterpreted".

As it happens, sport was ominously under-represented in the Queen’s Birthday Honours at a time when the Government clearly has more pressing political priorities with the referendum on membership of the European Union looming.

Former England footballer Alan Shearer and England cricket captain Alastair Cook, both upgraded to CBE, were the most notable recipients but it was good to see the estimable Paralympian Martine Wright given a long overdue gong, even though it was a relatively lowly MBE.

Martine has become a truly inspirational public figure, sharing the story of her resilience and rehabilitation from the horrors of the July 7 London bombings where she suffered immense traumas, including the loss of her legs, through to appearing as a sitting volleyball Paralympic athlete at London 2012.

Subsequently Martine spoke to thousands of people in different walks of life about her experiences and why these now guide her own life.

She has danced in a Strictly Come Dancing special, been a champion for Team London and undertaken key work for a range of charities.

Surely this lady deserved more.