With plans of turning it into a museum, a fan of Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has bought his childhood home in Louisville, Ky. paying far more than the asking price.
Real estate investor Jared Weiss bought the house for $70,000, though the asking price of the house was only $50,000, Complex Sports reported.
The front porch of the one-story house is drooping and it is in a state of despair. But the urge to own an important aspect of the boxing legend’s life forced Weiss’ to turn a blind eye on the condition of the property.
“The guy’s a huge Ali fan, and that’s what kind of spurred this,” Louisville realtor Dave Lambrechts told Complex Sports. He added that the heavyweight champion’s home is symbolic for the area, though Ali doesn’t stay here anymore.
Earlier this year, a historical marker was placed in front of the house to honor Ali, who was known as Cassius Clay. The marker reads that it was at this house “where young Clay's values were instilled, transforming him into three-time heavy weight champion and world renowned humanitarian.”
"This is a significant step for the Kentucky Historical Society to take this, because traditionally this is an honor that is not given to someone who is still among us," Metro Councilman David Tandy told WDRB.
Meanwhile, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer told the Courier Journal that he hoped the home could be transformed into a popular tourist attraction.
“I would hope that we would find some reasonable way to make (the house) a part of our history here where people can visit more formally than they do right now,” he said. “The city would be interested in making sure that it falls into the right hands and there’s a partnership there in some way. The role that he plays in our city’s history is extraordinary and we want everything associated with him to be successful.”
