Louisville officials announced Wednesday that Louisville International Airport will be renamed after boxer and humanitarian Muhammad Ali.

The SDF code will not change, officials said during a Louisville Regional Airport Authority Board meeting.

"Muhammad Ali belonged to the world, but he only had one hometown, and fortunately, that is our great city of Louisville," Mayor Greg Fischer said. "Muhammad became one of the most well-known people to ever walk the Earth and has left a legacy of humanitarianism and athleticism that has inspired billions of people.

"It is important that we, as a city, further champion The Champ's legacy," Fischer continued. "And the airport renaming is a wonderful next step."

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Lonnie Ali, Muhammad Ali's widow, said she's proud the city is changing the name "to reflect Muhammad's impact on the city and his love for his hometown."

"I am happy that visitors from far and wide who travel to Louisville will have another touch point to Muhammad and be reminded of his open and inclusive nature, which is reflective of our city," she said in a news release. "Muhammad was a global citizen, but he never forgot the city that gave him his start. It is a fitting testament to his legacy."

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Ali died June 3, 2016, in Scottsdale, Arizona, from septic shock at the age of 74. Just days later, Louisville held what is regarded as the "most widely covered Muslim funeral ever held in the U.S." Thousands of Ali's admirers, including celebrities, international leaders and politicians, packed the Kentucky Exposition Center on June 9 for his memorial service.

In 2016, a petition calling for the airport to be named after boxer and humanitarian Muhammad Ali was submitted to Fischer and the airport board.

The petitioners noted that "Ali inspired people all over the world to come together and shed our differences. This is an opportunity to unite in Ali's life mission. We humbly invite you to join our effort to rename our airport to Muhammad Ali International."