The Everlast gloves signed by Muhammad Ali (with authenticity certificate), the vintage 1960’s Salter boxing punching ball and the original Leroy Neiman poster signed by the artist are all available at Museum Concept.
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1942, Louisville (USA)
This 17th of January, at 6.35pm in Louisville, Kentucky, a wonder baby named Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr was born.
1960 Rome (Italy)
It’s a gold medal for Clay in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. At only 18, he defeats Polish boxing champion Zbigniew Pietrzykowski. Starting slow and conceding blows, Clay finished with style and nearly knocked out Pietzylowski. The decision of the judges was unanimous and Cassius Clay has now officially become a star.
1960, Louisville (USA)
What a historic moment, in front of his home crowd, Cassius Clay wins his professional boxing debut on October 29th, 1960. With his powerful jabs and foot speed, he stunned Tunney Hunsaker in a six-round decision.
1964, Miami Beach (USA)
Tuesday, February 18, The Beatles are in town! The Fab Four are keen to meet Cassius Clay and have been invited to the Fifth St. Gym. While they don’t know each other, the atmosphere is relaxed once Clay’s imposing silhouette appears and jokes are exchanged. He suddenly playfully pretends to land a knockout punch on them, what a fun domino-effect photo, classic! Both Clay and the Beatles are masters at delivering unbelievable hits!
We are now on February 25th and the real purpose for Clay is to be at Miami Beach. After a record 19-0 victories including 15 by knockout, Clay is now opposed to Sonny Liston for the world heavyweight championship crown. The fifth round is very difficult for Clay but the sixth round is a master class of lightning speed hits and Liston does not come back for the 7th, it’s a technical knockout and Clay is the World Champion!
A few weeks later, Cassius Clay converts to Islam and becomes known as Muhammad Ali.
1965, Las Vegas (USA)
After a rematch with Liston earlier this year that lasted less than 2 minutes before Ali was again declared the winner by knockout, we have tonight, November 22nd, a tough fight against Floyd Patterson. After 12 rounds and a technical knockout, Ali retains his world champion’s belt in front of a huge crowd.
1966
Ali informs the army that as a conscientious objector he will not serve his time in the Vietnam war. He famously declared: “Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?”. This is going to impact his boxing career but strengthen his iconic place among the most celebrated champions of the century.
1971, Madison Square Garden, New York (USA)
Here is the “Fight of the Century” with undefeated Joe Frazier on this Monday, March 8th. What a fight! Frazier is hitting Ali very hard with powerful hits. Ali is answering with precise jabs and also trying a new strategy by leaning against the ropes and absorbing punishment from Frazier hoping to tire him. An uncommon sight in the last round with Ali being knocked down by Frazier with a vicious left hook. Ali is very quickly back on his feet now but it has been too many hits and the fight is lost by unanimous decision. This is his first ever professional defeat. Ali is already asking for revenge.
1974, Madison Square Garden, New York (USA)
On this January 28, 1974, here is finally the much awaited second fight with Joe Frazier. Ali is starting strong boosted by the hurting feeling of the 1971 defeat here at the Madison. Frazier is nearly knocked out in the second round but recovers in round seven and eight with several blows. The end of the game is magnificent with Ali able to avoid any punishment from Frazier’s thundering left hook with his fancy footwork and punching him hard too. What a thriller! The judges however fully agree on a win for Muhammad Ali in an electric atmosphere in the arena.
1974, Kinshasa (Zaire)
October 30, 1974, the world is watching “The Rumble in the Jungle”, the hugely anticipated fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman who is regarded as a clear favorite. Ali’s strategy seems to be a dangerous one and he does let Foreman hit him hard, deflecting the punches one after another. Amazing! Step by step, having survived the hardest strikes, Ali starts to counter-attack on a more regular basis to the cheering of the crowd. Ali’s punches are becoming more frequent and very accurate. The crowd is all his in Kinshasa, Ali is the king, and he shows why when he floors a tired Foreman just in front of our eyes with a fantastic combination. Foreman is knockout and Ali reigns once again on top of the boxing world.
1975, Quezon – Manila (Philippines)
After more victories under his belt, Muhammad Ali is fighting Joe Frazier again today, October 1st, in what has been promoted as the “Trilla in Manila”. It’s very hot and humid here and everyone is expecting a huge battle, the third between the two fighters. After a speedy start, Ali is again testing Frazier and absorbing punches while counter-attacking as often as possible. Attack after attack, Ali remains strong and composed. In the 12th round, Ali is now scoring impressive blows that hit Frazier’s left eye. The next two rounds are punishing for Frazier and the cut on his eye is deep while both eyes are swollen. There will be no final round, Frazier’s trainer is not letting him go for more dangerous punches, the fight is over, an exhausted Ali wins by technical knockout.
1980, Las Vegas (USA)
Muhammad Ali is coming out of retirement tonight, October 2nd, for a fight vs Larry Holmes billed as “The Last Hurrah”. Over 2 billion viewers are watching the fight worldwide, just incredible! Ali is, however, in poor medical condition and in spite of a courageous defense, Holmes has no problem dominating Ali in a fight that should have probably not gone ahead. We are in the 11th round now and Ali is not coming back for another round, his first defeat by stoppage.
1984
Sadly, Muhammad Ali who retired three years ago has announced that he has Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative neurological condition. Tremors, slurred speech, slow body movements, the symptoms are unfortunately very clear but Ali has no problem to keep fighting and he is going to inspire the world with his remarkable fighting spirit.
1996 Atlanta (USA)
The Atlanta 1996 Olympic games are about to start on this warm July, 19 and what a more meaningful image than Muhammad Ali brandishing the Olympic torch and lighting the cauldron in this entertaining opening ceremony at the centennial Olympic games. This is very emotional and a wonderful show of power by Ali, 36 years after his gold medal in Rome. This will go down in the Olympics history as an iconic image for sure. This time, 3.5 billion viewers are watching worldwide. Just amazing and touching!
2005, Louisville (USA)
On this November 19, here we are at the opening of the non-profit Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown. There is not only boxing memorabilia but also strong messages of Peace and Respect. Ali’s speech reflects his strong yet gentle personality: “I am an ordinary man who worked hard to develop the talent I was given. Many fans wanted to build a museum to acknowledge my achievements. I wanted more than a building to house my memorabilia. I wanted a place that would inspire people to be the best that they could be at whatever they chose to do, and to encourage them to be respectful of one another.”
2012, London (United Kingdom)
July 27, 16 years after Atlanta, Muhammad Ali is again at the center of attention at the Olympics, this time as the Olympic flag bearer. He is clearly very affected by the Parkinson’s disease but you can feel the steel will of the Greatest to hold the flag the very best that he can.
2016, Scottsdale (USA)
Today, June 3rd, is a sad day. “After a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening,”. He will be remembered as a huge sportsman, an emblematic activist and a generous philanthropist supporting the Special Olympics and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, among other organisations.
Photo credits: Michael Cooper/Getty Images / AP / Reuters
