Muhammad Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky paid tribute to the fallen boxing giant who died on Friday night at the age of 74.
Around the world, hearts are heavy and heads are bowed as the nation mourns the loss of Muhammad Ali who lost his life on Friday night to a respiratory illness at the age of 74.
He grew up and learned to box in his hometown of Louisville. It was a city that was racially-divided by color where his brashness and showmanship wasn’t always loved and appreciated. In fact, Ali may have been more beloved outside of his hometown than he was elsewhere in the country and around the world.
When he won the Olympic gold medal in 1960, he was met with segregation and racism as his displeasure with his hometown was clear. When Ali did not want to fight in the Vietnam War, Louisville turned on their local celebrity and felt bitter about that.
Those feelings subsided when Ali lit the Olympic torch in 1996 and his hometown paid him a touching tribute on Saturday morning.
“The values of hard work, conviction and compassion that Muhammad Ali developed while growing up in Louisville helped him become a global icon, Mayor Greg Fischer said. As a boxer, he became The Greatest, though his most lasting victories happened outside the ring. Muhammad leveraged his fame as a platform to promote peace, justice and humanitarian efforts around the world, while always keeping strong ties to his hometown. Today, Muhammad Ali’s fellow Louisvillians join the billions whose lives he touched worldwide in mourning his passing, celebrating his legacy, and committing to continue his fight to spread love and hope.
“To honor Muhammad’s life and work, flags City Hall and Metro Hall and all city government buildings will be lowered to half-staff at 10 a.m. tomorrow and will remain at half-staff until he has been laid to rest. Thank you, Muhammad, for all you’ve given your city, your country and the world.”
"Muhammad belongs to the world, but he has only one hometown." @louisvillemayor on Ali at Metro Hall.
— Louisville Sports Live (@LvilleSprtsLive) June 4, 2016
Louisvillians join billions whose lives @MuhammadAli touched worldwide in mourning his passing & celebrating legacy pic.twitter.com/8QnVt9Oqfm
— Greg Fischer (@GregFischerLou) June 4, 2016
“Thank you @MuhammadAli for everything you’ve given to your hometown, your country, and the world.” pic.twitter.com/oWH91fYNEW
— Greg Fischer (@GregFischerLou) June 4, 2016
@MuhammadAli lived life so big&bold,it’s hard to believe that any 1man could do everything he did in just 1 lifetime pic.twitter.com/UJbjCRGZcV
— Greg Fischer (@GregFischerLou) June 4, 2016
For more coverage of the passing of Muhammad Ali, you can visit our boxing hub page.