Thousands of bees swarm mural outside Muhammad Ali's childhood home bearing his famous 'float like a butterfly, sting like a bee quote'

  • Muhammad Ali's childhood home in Louisville, Kentucky, has been turned into a memorial for the greatest athlete of all time, who died on June 3
  • Outside is a mural with the quote: 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee'
  • Approximately 15,000 bees have swarmed a tree near the mural

By Kalhan Rosenblatt For Dailymail.com

Published: 18:23 EST, 5 June 2016 | Updated: 03:39 EST, 6 June 2016

Of the long list of famous quotes to be spoken by Muhammed Ali in his lifetime, arguably the most famous came just before his 1974 fight with George Foreman. 

As a 22-year-old ready to take on 'The Rumble in the Jungle' against George Foreman, Ali spouted the timeless quote: 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.'

The words are now etched into a wall outside the childhood home of The Greatest in Louisville, Kentucky, who died on June 3.

A swarm of 15,000 bees gathered near a memorial for Mohammad Ali in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky

A swarm of 15,000 bees gathered near a memorial for Mohammad Ali in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky

The bees swarmed near a mural with Ali's iconic quote: 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee' (pictured)

The bees swarmed near a mural with Ali's iconic quote: 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee' (pictured)

As memorials piled in from devastated fans and admires, there was an unexpected - seemingly divine tribute: thousands of bees. 

'The irony is not lost on me at all,' said beekeeper Kevin McKinney, who was called out to control the swarm. 

Approximately 15,000 bees clung to a tree near the mural, as if to celebrate Ali's life and his perennial quote. 

Fans of the late Muhammad Ali, the former world heavyweight boxing champion, have left personal mementos at the home where the bees have swarmed

Fans of the late Muhammad Ali, the former world heavyweight boxing champion, have left personal mementos at the home where the bees have swarmed

McKinney told WLKY the swarm is his eighth of this year, but the first at the Ali mural. 

Flowers, balloons and boxing gloves have been left by the fans remembering Ali at the former home, which is now a historical landmark. 

But only the bees could give The Greatest a send off that defied convention. 

Ali, pictured in 1962, died on June 3rd after a years-long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 74 years old

Ali, pictured in 1962, died on June 3rd after a years-long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 74 years old

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