LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Muhammad Ali shook hands with kids and waved to fans as he walked up a red carpet and into a theater for the local premiere of the movie that chronicles his life.

Born Cassius Clay in Louisville in 1942, Ali grew up in the city's West End where Broadway Cinemas is located.

Wearing a gold turtleneck and black pants under a black checked jacket, he emerged from a limousine to cheers and flashing cameras. The 59-year-old Ali, who suffers from Parkinson's syndrome, was helped out of the car by wife Lonnie and friend, Howard Bingham.

He touched dozens of outstretched hands and took a mock punch at a photographer before bending to hug and kiss a 5-year-old boy on the cheek.

"It's good to be back home," Ali said.

"Ali" stars Will Smith in the title role, and it is a film by Michael Mann. It opens to wide release on Christmas Day. None of the movie's actors attended the Louisville premiere.

Ali said before the film began that he had already seen it.

"It's a great movie. Will Smith did a great job," Ali said.

Several hundred people attended the event at $50 per ticket. The crowd included former Louisville basketball star Darrell Griffith, now a local businessman; Louisville Mayor Dave Armstrong; and Gov. Paul Patton.

Proceeds from the event were earmarked for the planned Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville.

City officials said last week that the $60 million center will be built on a site overlooking the Ohio River.

The center will have exhibits focusing on Ali's boxing career and his humanitarian efforts, plus a large lobby and a theater.

Armstrong said work on the center's adjacent parking garage will start in the spring, with work on the center beginning by the end of next year and completed in mid-2004.

Earlier in the day, the luxurious Brown Hotel dedicated a suite to Ali.