$250K restoration set for Muhammad Ali's boyhood home

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Muhammad Ali's boyhood home will soon undergo a quarter million dollar restoration.

The Louisville legend and humanitarian continues to leave a lasting legacy, yet the place where it all started is falling apart.

Lawrence Montgomery still lives on the 3300 block of Grand Ave. where he was one of the first to feel the sting of the young boxer's jab.

"I'd come in, in the mornings. And he'd be jogging up and down the street, down to Chickasaw Park. Back then, he had me hold my hands up so he could spar into them " Montgomery said.

[SLIDESHOW: Muhammad Ali through the years]

Cassius Clay or as Montgomery remembers him, Cash Jr., grew up at 3302 Grand Avenue - where a sagging front porch overhang and shifting foundation will soon be restored.

Jared Weiss, the Nevada real estate investor who bought the vacant house two years ago, formed a joint venture on the makeover with 19th Century Restorations of Lawrence, Kansas. Work is scheduled to begin at the end of October and 19th Century Restorations plans to have the restoration finished by Jan. 17, which is Ali's 73rd birthday.

Montgomery lived in the house next door and still owns the neighboring home as well as his current home across the street.

"I think it's behind times. It should've happened long ago," Montgomery said.

Montgomery said he's now in negotiations to sell his own childhood home.

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$250K restoration set for Muhammad Ali's boyhood home