The city of Louisville, Kentucky, was the center of ceremonies honoring the legendary boxer and humanitarian Muhammad Ali in June 2016, following his death. The Muhammad Ali Center has recently opened an exhibit showcasing the events of that week, including photos, a three-dimensional display, and a video documenting the emotions and tributes. The exhibit, titled The Greatest Remembered, aims to acknowledge Ali’s passing as an important part of his legacy. It includes a panel surrounded by silk roses symbolizing the flowers thrown onto his hearse during his funeral procession.
The exhibit features a black-and-white photo of Ali from the 1990s, along with his own words expressing his desire to be remembered as a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him. Visitors can watch a video showing news reports of his death and memorial service, as well as witness the immense crowds that paid their respects to the boxing legend. Ali’s wife, Lonnie Ali, described Louisville as the perfect host to the world during that week, with the entire city providing love and support to the family.
Following Ali’s death, makeshift memorials appeared at various locations in Louisville, drawing mourners from around the world. The funeral procession was attended by an estimated 100,000 people, with chants of “Ali, Ali” resonating through the streets. The star-studded memorial service that followed his burial was described as a powerful and culturally significant event by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. The exhibit aims to allow visitors to relive those days or experience them for the first time, capturing the spirit of unity and remembrance that was felt across the city and beyond.
The Muhammad Ali Center, located near the Ohio River, not only celebrates Ali’s boxing prowess but also aims to preserve his humanitarian legacy by promoting his six core principles: spirituality, giving, conviction, confidence, respect, and dedication. The exhibit, The Greatest Remembered, will be a permanent display with plans to rotate in new items over time. Visitors like Keith Paulk, who stopped by the exhibit while on a pilgrimage to honor Ali, reflect on the impact Ali had on the world, both through his boxing matches and his legacy of excellence and unity.
Lonnie Ali hopes that the exhibit will continue to spread the message of love, remembrance, and unity that was felt during the week of Ali’s passing. She praises the exhibit as a way to show how people from all over the world came together to honor her husband and express their affection. By highlighting the outpouring of support and tribute that Ali received, the exhibit serves as a reminder that unity and coming together for the greater good are values that can bring people from diverse backgrounds together.
