MONTICELLO, N.Y. -- The entire country is looking back on the career of the man many call the best boxer of all time, but a local community is remembering its personal experience with Muhammad Ali.
"He was bigger and faster and smarter than almost any fighter that ever lived,” Sullivan County historian John Conway said. "Ali transcended the heavy weight division. He was just bigger than boxing in many ways.”
Ali trained at the Kutsher's Hotel in Monticello twice during his career. The resort was known for hosting world-class boxers, but former owner Mark Kutsher says Ali was one of a kind.
"He connected with the people. would joke around, take pictures. People really, really liked him,” said Mark Kutsher, former owner of Kutsher’s Country Club.
"The Catskills, and the Sullivan County Catskills in particular, has a direct link to boxing, probably the greatest training area for boxers there was, and this dates back to 19th century,” Conway said.
While the hotel that once served as a temporary home to the boxing legend and his competitors is now empty, the people who were able to witness his greatness will cherish the memories.
"He was great for the sport. He was great ultimately for the country and people got to understand that. And it's sad that he's gone,” Kutsher said.
"The thing that set him apart was the fact that he was able to psychologically out maneuver his opponent every single time,” Conway said. "I don't think you could ask for a better role model, in terms of a boxer, than Ali. I don't think there will ever be another Ali.”