LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In honor of the fifth anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s passing, the community came together to remember the life of “The Greatest" at his grave site in Cave Hill Cemetery.
What You Need To Know
- The world honored the People's Champion on the fifth anniversary of his death
- Three hour public viewing at Muhammad Ali’s grave site dubbed "Roses and Remembrance for Muhammad"
- The 74-year-old boxer died June 3, 2016 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease
- A new documentary about his life will be shown Friday at the Muhammad Ali Center
"We have Martin Luther King's Day, President’s Day, Muhammad Ali should have a world day because he was known all over the world," Butch Zubriggen said.
The world once again remembers “The Greatest” on the fifth anniversary of his death. The beloved Muhammad Ali was not only a heavyweight champion, he was a champion for all.
Arthur Hogan told Spectrum News 1, "I named my son after Muhammad Ali, my grandson’s are named after Ali so I wanted to come out here and pay my respect."
As he did everywhere, Ali made an impression on multiple generations of families including Hogan, who drove 677 miles from Corning, New York.
The 74-year-old boxer died June 3, 2016 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
"I just wanted to come and take a look and just be here, just be here," Hogan said.
It was a rainy, quiet-but-busy day at Cave Hill Cemetery as a steady stream of people gathered at Ali’s grave site and paid their respects.
The passionate fighter for freedom and justice had an impact that reached further than inside the ring – it reached 250 miles away in Zurbriggen’s hometown in Ohio.
"It’s the least I could do is to come out here and I usually sit from open to close with him on the 3rd. I call it 'Sitting with Greatness,'" Zurbriggen said.
That influence was evident for Zurbriggen and countless others throughout the three hour public viewing at Ali’s gravesite dubbed "Roses and Remembrance for Muhammad.”
"Growing up without a father, I never had a dad. [Ali] was kind of like a father figure to me," Zurbriggen said.
1,825 days after his death, the Louisville born boxing icon’s legacy carry’s on in the hearts of millions of families including Claire Masick.
"What an amazing thing that someone who made such a difference is hometown is here in Louisville," Masick said.
Despite the forecast, the mother of three honored the boxer by placing flowers near his grave.
"With all of the local events going on we thought we’d take the time to come out and just educate them and show them his grave site," Masick said.
A new documentary about Ali's life will be shown Friday at the Muhammad Ali Center.