The Ali Cultural Centre

The Muhammad Ali museum and cultural centre opened in honour of the great man, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Fans - including former US president Bill Clinton, attended Sunday's opening ceremony, of The Muhammad Ali Centre, which features souvenirs from his career as well as an educational area aiming to promote personal growth and global peace.

In a statement read out on behalf of the greatman Ali said - I wanted a place to inspire people to be the best they could be at whatever they choose.

By combining the fans request for a museum to acknowledge his achievements, and providing a cultural centre ti aid world peace he felt that he had achieved something that was more than a building to house memorabilia.

The two-and-a-half hour opening ceremony for the $75m centre featured musical performances, puppetry and poetry readings.

Flags from the 141 nations whose children have contributed to the centre were displayed and Mitchell Butler, an eight-year-old from New Zealand, hung a medal around Ali's neck.

Former US president Bill Clinton a life-long boxing and Ali fan, paid a warm tribute to the former heavyweight champion.