Miami Beach Names Street After Legendary Boxer Muhammad Ali
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The city of Miami Beach is paying tribute to boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
Convention Center Drive will now also be known as "Muhammad Ali Way."
Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine proposed the street name change after Ali's death on June 3.
The name is fitting when you consider it was in Miami Beach that Ali's path to stardom skyrocketed after he beat Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title.
At the weigh-in before his Feb. 25, 1964, fight with Liston, 22-year-old Ali carried on so much that some observers thought he was scared stiff and suggested the fight in Miami Beach be called off.
"The crowd did not dream when they lay down their money that they would see a total eclipse of the Sonny," Ali said.
Ali went on to punch Liston's face lumpy and became champion for the first time when Liston quit on his stool after the sixth round.
"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee," became Ali's rallying cry.
Ali always had strong South Florida ties.
Four years earlier, Ali was an 18-year-old working out with legendary trainer Angelo Dundee in Miami's world-famous 5th Street Gym.
He also had a house in Miami's Allapattah neighborhood. The modest home is at the corner of NW 46 Street and 15 Court.
In July, Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department remained Tropical Park's Boxing Center the "Muhammad Ali Boxing Center."
Ali, born Cassius Clay, passed away on June 3 at the age of 74, following a 30-year battle with Parkinson's disease.
Considered one of the greatest boxing legends of all-time, Ali was famous both in and out of the ring for his strength, power, speed, and stamina and flamboyant personality.
