Born January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, Muhammad Ali, the world’s best known boxer began at the tender age of 12. At 18 he won the gold medal in the light heavyweight division in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Italy. During his career, Ali became the only professional boxer to win the heavyweight championship three times. At the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, the world and his country honored Ali by choosing him to light the Olympic torch during the opening ceremony. Muhammad Ali is also known as an eloquent statesman for peace as well as a generous man who devoted much of his considerable earnings to charity.
The 2nd fight v Sonny Liston took place May 25th 1965 in Lewiston, Maine. The ending of the second Ali-Liston fight remains one of the most controversial in boxing history. Midway through the first round, Liston threw a left jab and Ali supposedly went over it with a fast right, knocking the former champion down. Liston went down on his back. He rolled over, got to his right knee and then fell on his back again. Many in attendance did not see Ali deliver the punch. The fight quickly descended into disarray. Referee Jersey Joe Walcott a former World Heavyweight Champion himself, had a hard time getting Ali to go to a neutral corner. Ali initially stood over his fallen opponent, gesturing and yelling at him, “Get up and fight, sucker!” and “Nobody will believe this!” The moment was captured by ringside photographer Neil Leifer in what became one of the most iconic images in sport, and chosen as the cover of the Sports Illustrated special issue, “The Century’s Greatest Sports Photos.” Ali then began prancing around the ring with his arms raised in victory.
This UNSIGNED photo has been taken from the original file guaranteeing image quality and is a licensed product.
Framed Size: 74.5 x 2.5 x 72cm / 29.75 x 1 x 28.75″
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