Muhammad Ali near death - brother

Muhammad Ali shows his support for the Baltimore Ravens in this photo posted to Twitter today.

The wife of Muhammad Ali has responded to media reports the boxing legend is near death by posting a photo on Twitter.

His brother told the Sun newspaper Ali was on the verge of death, but his wife Lonnie posted on Twitter a photo of Ali in a Ravens jersey, getting ready to watch today's Super Bowl.

Ali, considered to be the greatest boxer of all time, suffers from Parkinson's disease which he was diagnosed with in 1984.

Lonnie told USA Today that "Muhammad is rooting for the Ravens and Muhammad was completely (taken) with Beyonce".

"His eyes and mouth were wide open, so he's fine."

The 71-year-old appeared at the London Olympics opening ceremony but was very frail and needed assistance from his wife Lonnie throughout the event.

"My brother can't speak - he doesn't recognise me. He's in a bad way. He's very sick," Rahman Ali told the British newspaper.

"It could be months, it could be days. I don't know if he'll last the summer. He's in God's hands. We hope he gently passes away."

Rahman admitted that he had not seen his brother since midway through last year, claiming that the former boxer's wife was refusing to allow him access.

- nzherald.co.nz