Investor buys Ali Ky. childhood home

Realtor Dave Lambrechts said Weiss paid $70,000 for the small white house with a sagging front porch overhang in a western Louisville neighborhood of neat, modest homes.

"The guy's a huge Ali fan, and that's what kind of spurred this," Lambrechts said.

The home already has a state historical marker out front recognizing the residence as the home of Ali when he was a boy named Cassius Clay. The marker says Ali lived in the mostly black neighborhood with his parents and brother and attended local public schools.

It was at the home where the future boxing champion's "values were instilled," the marker says.

"Ali's childhood home is really symbolic for the area," Lambrechts said.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer was upbeat about the deal.

"I am delighted that a fan of the champ is in control of the home, and the city looks forward to helping make this residence a place that spreads the message of Muhammad Ali's legacy," he said in a statement. "We are proud to be the home of the 'Louisville Lip'" — a nickname from Ali's boxing days.

Donald Lassere, president and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville, also was cheered by the home's purchase.

Lassere said in a statement that "3302 West Grand Avenue is an important landmark for the city of Louisville and it will forever be tied to Muhammad's legacy here in his hometown."

The center looks forward to giving Weiss a grand tour, he said, promising to reveal more insight into Ali's "iconic life and how his early years in Louisville helped shape the man who is known around the world as 'The Greatest.'"

Ali and his wife, Lonnie, have residences in Phoenix, Louisville and Berrien Springs, Mich., but their primary residence is in Arizona. Lonnie, who is some 16 years younger, grew up in the same Louisville neighborhood as the boxing champion, an Ali Center spokeswoman said.