Muhammad Ali Center

Although Muhammad Ali’s last fight took place in 1981, many still remember the three-time heavyweight champion as the greatest boxer in history. Ali, who died in 2016, is also remembered as a global icon, civil rights advocate and, in his own words, “The Greatest.” His hometown of Louisville honors his legacy at the Muhammad Ali Center, which opened in 2005. 

Five floors of the center are dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of Ali, detailing his lengthy and illustrious career and showcasing artifacts from throughout his life. The timeline starts with his youth in Louisville and the gold medal that he won at the age of 18 during the 1960 Olympics. 

Visitors can watch recordings of any number of Ali’s fights, from his bouts with Sonny Liston to his heavyweight champion victory in 1974 against George Foreman to his three classic fights with Joe Frazier. Among some of the items on display are Ali’s gloves, robes and the torch he used to light the Olympic cauldron during the 1996 games in Atlanta.

Exhibits at the Muhammad Ali Center also highlight the boxing champion’s activism, noting his conscientious objection to the draft during the Vietnam War — a decision that cost him four years in the prime of his career — and his efforts during the Civil Rights Movement. There is also a gallery filled with paintings of Ali done by LeRoy Neiman, a noted sports and pop culture artist.

The museum also offers visitors a chance to pause and reflect as they walk through six pavilions, each representing a different core principle that guided Ali throughout his career. Another interactive exhibit at the museum presents a re-creation of Ali’s training camp, where visitors can try their hand at shadow boxing or hitting a punching bag. 144 N. Sixth St., Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 502/584-9254,
alicenter.org