CHERRY HILL — During his time, Muhammad Ali could dodge a punch. He also knew how to dodge the tax man.

The Kentucky-born Cassius Marcellus Clay moved his family from Chicago to Philadelphia in 1971. But he soon said goodbye to the city of brotherly love and moved to New Jersey, ironically enough, to escape the city’s punishing income taxes.

Obit Muhammad Ali
AP
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Ali, who died Friday at age 74, was The Greatest. But he was never too great to take some time for his fans.

During the few years that he called this Camden County township home, Ali almost never hesitated to answer the door when uninvited fans and tourists came calling.

The home at 1121 Winding Drive, in Cherry Hill’s leafy, coveted Voken tract neighborhood, attracted gawkers. A neighbor recalled it as a “show stopper,” according to a 2012 profile in the Courier-Post:

Ali's Cherry Hill home wasn't fenced, so anyone could get a good look at the five-bedroom residence. And if you had the courage to knock on the front door, it wasn't uncommon for Ali to answer and willingly sign an autograph, pose for a picture and sometimes engage in conversation.

While in New Jersey, Ali dabbled in local politics, supporting the notorious Major Benjamin Coxson for mayor of Camden, a 2002 South Jersey Magazine profile recounted. Coxson and his stepdaughter were executed in a gangland shooting June 8, 1973, at their Barbara Drive home in Cherry Hill.

That month, Ali moved his family back to Chicago and sold his Cherry Hill home in 1973, for $175,000 — which would be about $943,000 in today’s dollars.

Ali’s former home has been on the market for several years, with a current listing price of $700,000, down from original listing of around $2 million.

The 6,688-square-foot home has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, an in-ground pool and tennis court, a master bedroom with a Jacuzzi, according to the listing by Fox & Roach.

The annual property tax bill for the property is more than $32,400, according to records.

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-438-1015 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.

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