Cheering crowd gathers to mark boxing legend Ali’s 70th birthday

Hundreds of guests gathered in Louisville, Kentucky, to celebrate Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday, which falls tomorrow, with the boxing champion.

As about 350 people mingled in a lobby of the Muhammad Ali Centre in Ali’s home town, he walked out to a second-floor balcony overlooking them. The crowd clapped chanted his name and then sang Happy Birthday.

Ali, who is battling Parkinson’s disease, leaned against a rail and raised his right hand to wave to the crowd. Those gathered then headed into a banquet hall where the party was taking place.

Among the notable guests was University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari. He said he grew up as a fan of Ali’s and loved the boxer because of his confidence.