Louisville, Kentucky, Muhammad Ali's hometown, commemorated the tenth anniversary of his death on June 3rd at the Muhammad Ali Center, founded by Ali and his wife, Lonnie. A memorial ceremony was held, announcing a new annual event called "Compassion Day," to encourage volunteer work and small acts of kindness.
Ten years ago, thousands of people witnessed the farewell to "The Greatest" as Ali's funeral procession traveled through the city's main avenues. Journalists, artists, politicians, public figures, athletes, and celebrities flocked to Louisville to pay tribute to the boxing legend known as "The Greatest" on Friday, June 10, 2016.
Ali is considered one of the most important sports figures of the 20th century and is often regarded as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. He was an enormously influential social figure in his generation, in politics, and in social and humanitarian struggles on behalf of African Americans and Islam.
He was one of the most famous athletes in the world, winning the heavyweight title three times, in addition to an Olympic gold medal.
As an amateur, under the name Cassius Clay, he won the gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics in the 75-81 kg category, and as a professional, he won the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1964 at the age of twenty-two. He became the only boxer to win the lineal (1964, 1974, and 1978) and undisputed (1964, 1967, and 1974) heavyweight championship three times; and the first to win a world heavyweight title four times (the World Boxing Association title in 1964, 1967, 1974, and 1978).
Among his numerous accolades, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom; induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame; the title of "King of Boxing" from the World Boxing Council; and "Sportsman of the 20th Century" from Sports Illustrated and the BBC, among others.
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