Presented is a Muhammad Ali signature on a classic black and white photograph of the former heavyweight boxing champion “shadow boxing” under water in a swimming pool. Ali has signed his name in the lower left of the 16 x 20-inch photo in black marker. The photo depicts the young Ali in white trunks with black stripe, arms coiled in boxing stance, his bare feet poised at the bottom of the swimming pool. His reflection is above him at the top of the pool’s waterline, while the sunlight is reflected on the bottom of the pool. A series of underwater shots of the boxing legend were taken in a Miami swimming pool in 1961 by Sports Illustrated photographer Flip Schulke. The 19-year-old boxer, then still known as Cassius Clay, was training in the pool when Schulke arrived. He explained to the photographer that a previous trainer had encouraged him to practice in the pool as the water resistance acts just like weight. Years later, Schulke learned that Ali had fooled him – the champ didn’t even know how to swim, but it made for a memorable image. This item comes with a STICKER ONLY from PSA/DNA (5A02179).

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