DHAKA: US President Barack Obama will not be there at a memorial to the late boxer Muhammad Ali on Friday.

Ali died last Friday at the age of 74 in hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

World leaders will be among thousands attending Friday's procession and memorial service in Louisville, Kentucky, where Ali was born, BBC reports on Wednesday (June 8).

The White House said that Obama and his wife Michelle will be at daughter Malia's high school graduation.

They will send a letter to the Ali family with White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, who knew Ali.

BDST: 1125 HRS, June 8, 2016
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