Description
Thrilla – Ali v Frazier – 1975
by Stephen Doig
Small Print: Edition Size: 250
Image Size: 26 x 17 cm
Large Print: Edition Size: 95
Image Size: 35 x 26cm
Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr in Louisville on 17th January 1942. His amateur record included a gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games held in Rome. In 1964 Ali shocked the boxing world by defeating the then unstoppable Sonny Liston in seven rounds and was crowned Heavyweight Champion of the World. In 1967 Muhammad Ali was suspended for refusing to join the US Army during the conflict in Vietnam. The boxing establishment stripped Ali of his title until the Supreme Court upheld his appeal on religious grounds. Seventeen fights later in 1974 Ali fought George Foreman. Ali adopted his unorthodox Rope-A-Dope tactic to guard against fatigue, and in the eighth round Ali floored a tiring Foreman with a left-right combination, regaining the World Heavyweight title. Ali successfully defended his title ten times until in 1978 Leon Spinks displayed surprising skill and resourcefulness upsetting an ill-prepared Ali. Seven months later Muhammad Ali beat Leon Spinks to become Heavyweight Champion of the World for a record third time. Ali finished with a record of 56 wins and 5 losses including 37 knockouts in 61 fights. His appearance at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, to light the Olympic flame, moved an international audience. Where he once divided America with his social and religious beliefs, Ali has now become a unifying force and is a symbol of peace and hope. In an age of superstars with no public conscience, Ali is truly unique. Quite simply The Greatest. Ali died in 2016
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