Tucked away in Louisville, Kentucky, the pink, two-bed, one-bath childhood abode of boxing sensation Muhammad Ali has been officially put up for sale. This property has etched a special place in the hearts of Ali’s fans. It was here that the young Ali cultivated dreams of boxing stardom, only to later see throngs of his fans gather to bid him a heartfelt goodbye when his funeral procession drove by this beloved site.
For a time, Ali’s pink home was transformed into a museum. It aimed to replicate the life and times of the young Ali, offering a rare look into the early years of the iconic heavyweight champion and humanitarian, affectionately known worldwide as The Greatest. The museum subsequently expanded to include two adjacent properties. One served as a welcome center and gift shop and the other had plans to be converted into a vacation rental.
These three properties, steeped in history, have now been listed for sale at an asking price of $1.5 million. Co-owner George Bochetto expressed his hope that a buyer will continue to preserve Ali’s home as a museum, which he fondly referred to as a slice of “Americana” and “our history.”
The renovation project, initiated shortly before Ali’s death in 2016 by Bochetto and a business partner, faithfully restored the house to the state it was in when a young Ali, still known by his birth name, Cassius Clay, resided there with his parents and younger brother.
“Stepping into this house means being transported back to 1955 and immersing yourself in the essence of the Clay family home,” said Bochetto, a Philadelphia attorney and former Pennsylvania state boxing commissioner.
Evidence of meticulous attention to detail in the restoration process is abundant. Original photographs were used to replicate the home’s furnishings, appliances, and even the distinctive pink exterior from Ali’s days of residence. The museum didn’t focus on Ali’s famed boxing career, but rather highlighted his upbringing.
Ali’s fascinating journey into the boxing world began quite unexpectedly when his bicycle was stolen. The 12-year-old met Joe Martin, a local police officer who also happened to be a boxing coach, while reporting the theft. Vowing to take revenge on the thief, Ali became a regular at Martin’s gym, paving the way for the stellar boxing career waiting for him ahead.
The pink house had been Ali’s sanctuary until he left to participate in the 1960 Olympics as a still relative unknown. He returned as a gold medalist, propelling him onto a trajectory of fame not only as a three-time heavyweight boxing champion but also a universally recognized humanitarian figure.
On the day of Ali’s burial, the home transformed into a worldwide epicenter of mourning. Hundreds of devotees thronged the streets in front of the house as his hearse slowly drove by during his funeral procession.
However, the museum hit a rough patch and had to shut down less than two years post its inauguration. While various propositions to relocate the museum to places such as Las Vegas, Philadelphia, and even Saudi Arabia have been denied, Bochetto remains confident that it should remain as it is – a significant piece of Louisville’s and Kentucky’s history.
The story of the home’s preservation began in 2012 when a Las Vegas real estate investor, Jared Weiss, purchased the then run-down and vacated house for $70,000. Weiss, alongside Bochetto, partnered in a restoration project infused with their shared passion for Ali. Millions were spent on the home’s restoration, neighboring properties, and even a documentary, helping to immortalize one of the world’s greatest boxers. However, following Weiss’ death, his wife has now joined Bochetto as a project co-owner.
As the properties are listed for sale, Bochetto hopes to find a buyer with the necessary acumen to make the museum a success. He is determined to ensure the iconic house never reverts back to its former dilapidated state, stressing, “That should never have happened.”
