Cassius Clay Jr. – perhaps the most famous boxer in the world, thanks to his superlative strength and stamina, incredible self-belief, and a way with words that made him a star attraction on many chat shows.
Muhammad Ali was a 6’3” heavyweight who lost just five fights in a 61-bout career and won 37 of them by knockouts. When he said, “If you even dream of beating me, you’d better wake up and apologise”, he meant it. A boxer through and through – with a hint of flamboyant showmanship – his sport was the only kind of fighting he was interested in. He was denied the opportunity to fight for three-and-a-half years for objecting to serve in Vietnam. He was back in the ring in 1970. Four years later, he defeated George Foreman, and did the same to Joe Frazier in 1975.
As the decade drew on, he went into decline and retired in 1981 after one defeat too many. Sadly, this Golden Gloves and Olympic gold winner was diagnosed with Parkinson ’s disease in 1984. Ali devoted his life to religious and charitable work. His glory days were behind him – as his condition worsened, Ali made limited public appearances and was cared for by his family until his death on June 3, 2016.
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Muhammad Ali, 1966
Photo by: Mirrorpix
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Muhammad Ali, 1980
Photo by: Paul Harris
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Cassius Clay Poses
Photo by: Stanley Weston
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Muhammad Ali at Deer Lake
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Ali at Deer Lake, 1974
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Ali and trainer Angelo Dundee
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Ali Chopping
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Muhammad Ali ‘The Greatest’
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Ali Spars
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Ali – Wanted
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Muhammad Ali in the training ring
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Muhammad Ali trains for George Foreman. 1974
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Ali Chopping Contact Sheet
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Muhammad Ali chopping wood
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Muhammad Ali, Deer Lake, 1975
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Ali at Deer Lake
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Ali training in Pennsylvania, 1977
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Muhammad Ali trains in Pennsylvania
Photo by: Michael Brennan
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Muhammad Ali Training
Photo by: John Shearer © Life Picture Collection
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