Local. Late-Breaking. Get the top Louisville news, weather and sports from the team at WLKY – online, anytime. Roses placed at Muhammad Ali's gravesite in Louisville on 9th anniversary of his death ...

The Louisville Bats will host Muhammad Ali Night at Slugger Field Thursday as well. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Muhammad Ali's battles in and out of the ring, Zurbriggen said, inspired him to turn away from gangs as a teenager. "I was 12 or 13. I was heading in the wrong directions," he explained.

He drove about 100 miles out of his way to be among the first to see Ali's grave. "My heart is beating really fast right now, I'm in awe of this moment," he said.