Offered here is a signed serigraph of Muhammad Ali by artist LeRoy Neiman. This serigraph was made in 2001 in honor of Ali being named Athlete of the Century. This 45”x28” serigraph of Ali shows him in his boxing stance, cocking back his howitzer of a right arm. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1942, Muhammad Ali is simply an American icon. Compiling a record of 56 wins and 5 losses during his professional career, Muhammad Ali redefined what it meant to be a heavyweight boxer. The most prolific and inventive trash talker in sports history, Ali’s quips and verbal jabs are almost as famous as his boxing career. The only man who could “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee,” Ali was a dedicated social activist whose conscientious objection to the Vietnam War earned him equal amounts of hatred and adoration during a divisive time in American history. After the terminus of his boxing career, Ali, even amid a battle for his life against Parkinson’s disease, became one of America’s most prominent philanthropists and activists for religious and civil rights.

       Throughout his boxing career Ali took part in some of the most famous fights in boxing history. His three fights against Joe Frazier solidified his place among boxing’s echelon of god-like figures and his upset victory over a younger, stronger George Foreman in Kinshasa moved the world. No boxer was more beloved by fans than Ali, who had a preternatural gift for language, always coming up with the word or turn of phrase that would put fans in his corner. The Greatest of All Time passed away on June 3rd, 2016, at the age of 74. Neiman’s portrait of Ali, a beautiful, colorful abstract view of the champion, captures in it the traits that made Ali great. His blindingly quick gloves sink into the background of the serigraph, only his white shorts truly separate from the swirling ocean of colors and brushstrokes in the background. Ali’s mouth is open and one can imagining him shouting rapid-fire taunts at an invisible opponent. Below the serigraph lies the signatures of Ali and Neiman in gray pencil. Two smaller, more traditional depictions of Ali are between them. This serigraph is a limited edition 489 out of 850. This item is contained in a 39x57 inch frame. This item comes with a PSA/DNA LOA (AB11578).

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