New York: A length of street next to New York’s Madison Square Garden will be temporarily renamed “Muhammad Ali Way” to honor the boxing legend who died last week.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday that West 33rd Street adjacent to the famed arena will be temporarily named for Ali.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the temporary renaming of West 33rd Street next to the MSG arena, where some of Ali’s greatest fights took place in America’s entertainment capital.
“Today we are paying tribute to the man in the heart of this city,” de Blasio said. “He deserves this naming honor and more.”
Blasio said Ali “never backed down from a fight in or outside the ring.”
The 74-year-old three-time heavyweight champion died last week after a decades-long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Ali fought eight times at the Garden. The most famous match was the so-called “Fight of the Century” against Joe Frazier in 1971.
New York streets may be renamed permanently if legislation is passed by the city council and signed by the mayor.