8 years after his death, Muhammad Ali's legacy celebrated in Louisville and beyond

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville native Muhammad Ali died eight years ago.

Born Cassius Clay Jr. in Louisville on Jan. 17, 1942, the three-time heavyweight champ died on June 3, 2016, at the age of 74 years old.

On Monday, hundreds of people filed through the historic Cave Hill Cemetery where Ali was laid to rest under a polished black headstone with one of his most famous quotes. "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room in Heaven."

Visitors at the cemetery were given a single red rose to lay on the grave of "The Champ." One by one, people stopped for a moment of silence, as they placed roses on the grave.

Butch Zurbriggen was sitting near the gravesite on Monday. "I call it sitting with greatness." The Columbus, Ohio man said he makes the pilgrimage each year to pay his respects to Ali.

The trip to Louisville is also a familiar ritual for the Singleton family from New Orleans. "We come every year, and Ms. Lonnie welcomes us all the time," said Angela Singleton.

Glenn Singleton said Ali has inspired him during his own fight with stomach cancer. "I was diagnosed two years ago, and the doctor told me I wouldn't be here - but Muhammad Ali was strength while I was in the hospital," he said.

Ali was that symbol of strength for millions of people around the world and in his hometown. Many remember the day of Ali's funeral in 2016 when thousands lined the streets of Louisville to pay their respects to "The Greatest."

For one Louisville pastor, Ali’s passing brought his greatest assignment. Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby remembers he was enlisted to be part of Ali's send off four years before his death.

The President of Simmons College and Pastor of St. Stephen Church was in line at Universal Studios preparing to get on the Spider-Man ride, when he received a call from Lonnie Ali.

"It was a call that was one I would never expect because of what I was doing when I received the call," Cosby explained.

Lonnie Ali explained that her husband’s health was declining, and she had a special request. "In the event that he were to pass, at his memorial service we wanted you to be one of the eulogists."

Dr. Cosby said that he went to work on what he would say about a man who meant so much to so many. Ali belonged to everyone but was a product of the Black community.

"Before James Brown said 'I'm Black, and I'm proud,' Muhammad Ali said, 'I'm Black, and I'm pretty,'" he said.

Cosby said he felt it was important for him to talk about how "The Champ" infused a sense of "somebodyness" into a people that felt down trodden. "So that whole culture that he helped to create in the 60s, helped to move the consciousness of Black people from that of self loathing to self celebration."

Cosby said Ali's legacy was clear. "He will be a source of inspiration. His words. His rhetoric. His life has transformed the world." Cosby said he still feels Ali's presence.

The Muhammad Ali Center's Ali Fest continues through June 9. Events planned in Louisville through this weekend include a day of service, concerts and a trolley tour on Saturday of landmarks from Ali's life. To find out more, click here.

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