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22 year old Muhammad Ali (then still known as Cassius Clay) was featured on the cover of the March 6, 1964 LIFE Magazine— the publication date just ten days after Ali's history-making February 25th fight against Sonny Liston for the World Heavyweight Champion title!
This oversized photo of the historic LIFE Magazine cover features the newly crowned World Heavyweight Champion, in a close-up photo by photographer Bob Gomel. Gomel actually took the photo before Muhammad Ali won the heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston, so LIFE would have a cover prepped for deadline in case Ali scored the upset.
This great photographic image has been hand-signed by Ali, top right, directly in the image area adjacent to the LIFE Magazine masthead, and above Ali’s own image. Ali has signed in a large, clear full-name signature, “Muhammad Ali”, in silver paint pen.
Muhammad Ali’s signature has been examined and authenticated by James Spence Authentication (JSA), and a unique alphanumeric authenticating label has been affixed to the item, corresponding to the full Letter of Authenticity from JSA which accompanies the piece.
The Ali LIFE Magazine cover image comes freshly framed and ready for display in a substantial silver frame, measuring 17" in height x 14" width.
After winning the Gold Medal for boxing light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome at the age of 18, Ali (then still know as Cassius Clay) turned professional later that same year.
At age 22 in 1964, he won the WBA, WBC, and lineal heavyweight titles from Sonny Liston.
Recognized as one of the leading heavyweight boxers of the 20th century, Ali remains the only three-time lineal heavyweight champion, having won the title in 1964, 1974, and 1978. He is the only boxer to be named The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year six times. He was ranked as the greatest athlete of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated, the Sports Personality of the Century by the BBC, the third greatest athlete of the 20th century by ESPN SportsCentury, and named one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century by Time magazine. Known as "The Greatest", Ali made sports and boxing history in boxing matches which were viewed around the globe, including the first Liston fight, the "Fight of the Century", "Super Fight II", "Thrilla in Manila" versus his rival Joe Frazier, and "The Rumble in the Jungle" versus George Foreman.