Boxing great Muhammad Ali is being treated in hospital for a respiratory issue, a spokesman for the former heavyweight champion said.

Ali is being treated by doctors as a precaution, spokesman Bob Gunnell said.

The 74-year-old is in fair condition and a brief hospital stay is expected, he said.

Mr Gunnell declined to say where Ali is in hospital or when he was admitted.

Ali has battled Parkinson’s disease for years.