The current World Boxing Organization (WBO) International flyweight champion Zou Shiming of China has tearfully mourned the sudden demise of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, making a commitment to win a professional boxing title to honor "The Greatest of All Time."

"I planned to go visit my idol Mr. Muhammad Ali after winning a professional bout. But now, I can only pray he is at peace in heaven, and free from illness and pain," Zou posted on his Weibo account.

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"I am deeply grieving over the passing of the legend Mr. Ali, for whom I have great respect. He has been a great inspiration to me," the 35-year-old boxer said during an interview.

After learning that the well-recognized sports figure was hospitalized "in grave condition" earlier in the day, the three-time World Amateur Championships winner wrote on his Weibo account: "God bless him. Hope he will regain health."

Ali passed away at the age of 74 in a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday. The well-known boxing icon had been battling Parkinson's disease since the mid-1980s.

Ali, originally known as Cassius Clay, started training to be a boxer at the early age of 12 years old. He defeated Sonny Liston and claimed the world heavyweight championship at the age of 22 in 1964. He won the title again in 1974 and 1978.

Ali represented the United States at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy, where he won the gold medal in the light heavyweight division. 

He fought his last boxing match against Jamaican Trevor Berbick in December 1981. Ali retired from boxing with 56 wins, five losses, and 37 knockouts.

TagsZou Shiming, Muhammad Ali, WBO, "The Greatest", Parkinson's disease