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Thousands of bees swarm to Muhammad Ali ‘sting like a bee’ memorial
The Muhammad Ali Centre in Louisville, a museum close to Ali’s childhood home, has seen a number of visitors passing by in recent to pay their respects in recent days – including, fittingly, 15,000 bees, which have made their home next to a “Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee” mural.
"The irony is not lost on me at all," said beekeeper Kevin McKinney, who was called in to remove the insects.
The mural is a quotation from Ali: prior to fighting George Foreman in the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle, he told reporters: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, his hands can't hit what his eyes can't see.”
The line became one of the boxer’s most famous quotes, often cited as a shorthand description of his boxing style.
The Muhammad Ali Center was founded in 2005 at a cost of $80m. It features exhibitions focussing on Ali's “core values of respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, charity, and spirituality.”
The bees have been rehomed by Mr McKinney, who’ll keep them to make honey.
Ali died on Friday evening with four of his daughters gathered at his hospital bedside in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he was being treated for breathing difficulties. He was 74.
His death was confirmed by Bob Gunnell, his long-time spokesman, who said the cause was "septic shock" due to natural causes.
“It was a very peaceful passing and they are with him as we speak,” he said. “You know, we lost a great person in this world tonight.
Ali is survived by his fourth wife Lonnie, whom he married in 1986, and nine children.