The New York City street outside Madison Square Garden has been temporarily renamed in honor of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who died last week at 74.
City workers hung a small green sign reading "Muhammad Ali Way" at West 33rd Street and Seventh Avenue on Tuesday in memory of the late boxer. Ali died Friday of septic shock at a hospital in Phoenix.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the honor, saying, "Ali never backed down from a fight in or outside the ring."
Ali fought eight times at the Garden. The most famous match was the so-called "Fight of the Century" against Joe Frazier in 1971. Frazier won that fight in 15 rounds in a unanimous decision.
"Because The World’s Most Famous Arena hosted some of Muhammad Ali’s greatest fights within the ring, including the 'Fight of the Century' against Joe Frazier in 1971, he deserves this naming honor and more," de Blasio said.
The temporary street sign will only be posted for a few days. A permanent name change is handled through a city legislative process.
A public plaza near the Garden was given the permanent designation of Joe Louis Plaza in 1984. Louis, another legendary fighter, died in 1981.
