Tony Kelly met with Muhammed Ali at the boxing legend’s home despite thinking his friends were winding him up.

The plumber from Donegal lives in Louisville, Kentucky and unbeknownst to him he had been working on the same street where his sporting hero Ali lives. When his friends told him he didn’t believe them but thought to try his luck and call to the house anyway.

Kelly was met by Ali’s wife Yolanda who at first told him that her husband was unavailable. But the plucky 24-year-old persisted and when he called back an hour later he was invited into the couple’s home.

It turned out that it was Ali’s 72nd birthday and the heavyweight champion welcomed his Irish fan to celebrate with him. Kelly even got to take a photo with his sporting hero much to his delight and surprise of his friends.