.
6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”
(that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (from Rom. 10)
My hope is that Muhammad Ali had heard the Gospel at some point in his life, and that God brought the Truth of His Love and Grace back to his mind and that he chose to believe in Christ.
No one truly knows what happens in the last moments of one's life - perhaps God in His Mercy and Grace presents the Good News to those passing and they have one last chance to receive Him.
The Bible tells us this:
9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.” (from Rev. 7)
-JGIG