( CNN ) Boxing legend Muhammad Ali is back at home following several days in the hospital , a family spokesman said Friday . Ali , who has Parkinson 's disease and received follow-up care for a urinary tract infection this week at an undisclosed hospital , was released as expected Friday , the day before his 73rd birthday . Bob Gunnell said Ali is looking forward to gathering with family and friends to watch a college basketball game Saturday between the Duke Blue Devils and his hometown team , the Louisville Cardinals . His family thanked fans in a written statement for `` the outpouring of support and continued well wishes . '' Ali was initially released from the hospital on January 7 after an 18-day stay . Born Cassius Clay , the fighter won an Olympic gold medal as a light-heavyweight at 18 . In 1964 , he became world heavyweight champion in an upset victory over Sonny Liston . Shortly thereafter , he changed his name to Muhammad Ali to reflect his conversion to Islam . The boxer was also known for his protest against the Vietnam War and refusing to be drafted on religious grounds . He won his first 31 professional fights before losing to Joe Frazier in 1971 , a bout hailed by some boxing experts as one of the greatest of all time . He retired from boxing in 1981 as a three-time heavyweight champion and announced his diagnosis with Parkinson 's three years later .
Muhammad Ali was getting follow-up care for a urinary tract infection , a spokesman says . The Associated Press reports that the boxer underwent surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center on Friday to remove an infected bladder and repair his damaged urethra. His family thanks fans for support and well wishes .