Muhammad Ali: Fightin’ Irish?

A lot is known about Muhammed Ali: he’s a three-time world heavyweight boxing champion; he was born Cassius Clay and changed his name when he converted to Islam; he was the self-proclaimed “Champion of the World”; he floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee. But what is less known about the famous pugilist is that he is of Irish descent. His great-grandfather, Abe Grady, left Ireland to settle in Kentucky in the 1860s, and married a freed slave. Their granddaughter, Odessa Lee Grady Clay, was Ali’s mother.

Yesterday Muhammad Ali returned to Ennis, Ireland, his great-grandfather’s hometown, for a sentimental look at his family’s ancient homeland. Ennis Mayor Frankie Neylon was there for the champ’s big homecoming, and joins us this morning.