Irish plumber floats his way to Ali’s 72nd birthday

Irish plumber floats his way to Alis 72nd birthday

Monday, January 20, 2014

An Irish plumber helped boxing legend Muhammad Ali celebrate his 72nd birthday after he knocked on his door just to say hello.

Tony Kelly with Muhammad Ali: 'It was just a ballsy move that paid off for me.'

By Stephen Maguire

The 24-year-old from the fishing village of Greencastle on the Inishowen peninsula is a huge fan of Ali. So he decided he had nothing to lose but knock on the door of the house last Friday.

He was even more shocked when Alis wife Yolanda invited him in to meet the boxing icon, who just happened to be celebrating his 72nd birthday.

I told her I was one of his greatest Irish fans and Id love to meet him. With that she invited me in to meet him. It was amazing something I will never forget until the day I die, Tony says.

He even managed to get a cherished picture with Ali, who was diagnosed with Parkinsons in 1984.

Tony revealed how he thought his chance meeting with Ali may not come off after Yolanda said he was not available. The Donegal man insisted he was a huge fan and his bravery paid off when Yolanda told him to call back in an hour.

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Irish plumber floats his way to Ali’s 72nd birthday