Paul McCartney is among those remembering the great Muhammad Ali, who passed away earlier this morning at the age of 74. McCartney recalled first meeting the famed boxer along with the rest of the Beatles in Miami in 1964.

“I loved that man,” the bassist said. “He was great from the first day we met him in Miami, and on the numerous occasions when I ran into him over the years.” McCartney added, “The world lost a truly great man.”

The Miami meeting came just as the Beatles were readying for their second appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and just a week before Ali defeated Sonny Liston to become the world champion for the first time in his career.

Read the full statement below.

Dear Muhammad Ali. I loved that man. He was great from the first day we met him in Miami, and on the numerous occasions when I ran into him over the years. Besides being the greatest boxer, he was a beautiful, gentle man with a great sense of humour who would often pull a pack of cards out of his pocket, no matter how posh the occasion, and do a card trick for you. The world has lost a truly great man. Love Paul