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Kentucky airport renamed after Muhammad Ali

In this May 25, 1965 file photo, heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali stands over fallen challenger Sonny Liston, shouting and gesturing shortly after dropping Liston with a short hard right to the jaw, in Lewiston, Maine. The bout lasted only one minute into the first round. (John Rooney/AP)
Copy photo of Jerry Izenberg and Muhammad Ali in 1991. Izenberg, who lives in Henderson, released his "Once There Were Giants: The Golden Age of Heavyweight Boxing" book on Tuesday. (Jerry Izenberg)
MUHAMMAD ALI at home Photo by Curt Gunther-Globe Photos, inc.
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The Associated Press
January 16, 2019 - 3:52 pm
 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Muhammad Ali’s Kentucky hometown will honor the late boxer by renaming its airport for him.

The Louisville Regional Airport Authority’s board voted Wednesday to change the name to Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Ali would have turned 77 Thursday. He died in 2016.

Ali’s widow, Lonnie Ali, said in a news release from the board that she is proud of the name change. She said although Ali was a “global citizen,” he never forgot his hometown.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer cited research showing that Ali’s name recognition is greater than Louisville’s and said he’s organizing a group to work toward celebrating Ali’s Louisville ties more broadly.

The airport board said the decision came after a working group studied renaming the airport for more than a year.

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