LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It has been three years since Louisville native and legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali, passed away, but his memory is ever present both in the city and at Cave Hill Cemetery where people spent Monday visiting his grave site.
Visitors from across the country took time from work and school to stop by Ali's grave site paying their respects to the legendary boxer.
“The effect he had on people around the world was simply incredible,” Louisville native, Jeff Wood said.
Butch Zurbriggen from Columbus, Ohio made the trip to Louisville for the third year in a row to mark when Ali passed.
"I'm sitting with greatness,” Zurbriggen said. "Growing up without a dad he's almost like a father figure to me and I've learned so much from him.”
Zurbriggen sat next to the boxer's grave for six hours, reflecting on the impact he has left behind.
"We always do kind things, and we started a homeless group where we feed homeless people in Columbus and I do it in [Ali's] honor,” Zurbriggen said.
Stories and memories were shared of a man who made a difference beyond the ring.
"I was in Costa Rica in 1974 when he fought Foreman in Zaire,” Wood said. “When the fight was over the whole country ran out in the street and partied; it was just an incredible day.”
The international icon's roots began in a city that stands by compassion.
"He would say – ‘man you can't beat a heavy champion in the world, but you can help somebody today,’” Mayor Greg Fischer said. Everybody can help somebody today so that's the message this week.”
Louisville established this week as Ali Week full of events to remember the legend and his giving spirit.
"I always spend the day after my birthday at Ali’s grave site to sit and thank him,” Louisville native, Matthew Periolat said, whose birthday falls on the day before Ali died. “Something I took away from him is no matter how hard life gets, if you keep rising above each one of those blows, your life is better because of it and you're making other people better because of it too.”
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