• LIFE

See 12 of the Greatest Photos of Muhammad Ali

3 minute read

Muhammad Ali, who turns 74 on Jan. 17, is best known as one of the greatest heavyweights in the history of boxing. But in his spare time, the People’s Champion enjoyed a pastime rather dissimilar from his athletic pursuits: writing poetry. In 1966, LIFE photographer Gordon Parks spent time with Ali in London, following his winning bout against Henry Cooper. Ali was fighting abroad due to controversies at home: many would-be fans were critical of his involvement with the Nation of Islam and his refusal to serve after being drafted to fight in Vietnam. The Illinois Athletic Commission refused to sanction a fight between him and heavyweight champion Ernie Terrell following statements Ali made saying that the Viet Cong had never shown him any ill will—rather overtly implying that white Americans had.

It was a tense time for Ali. Parks aimed to uncover the man behind the showboating and bravado, a man who had been portrayed by the press as anti-white and a traitor to his country. So the photographer, who also occasionally wrote features for the magazine, began his profile of the boxer with Ali’s reaction to the media maelstrom, written in his own words—and in verse. About the bad press, Ali had this to say:

Since I won’t let my critics seal my fate
They keep hollering I’m full of hate.
But they don’t really hurt me none
‘Cause I’m doing good and having fun
And fun to me is something bigger
Than what those critics fail to figure.
Fun to me is lots of things
And along with it some good I bring.
Yet while I’m busy helping my people
These critics keep writing I’m deceitful.
But I can take it on the chin
And that’s the honest truth my friend.
Now from Muhammad you just heard
The latest and the truest word.
So when they ask you what’s the latest
Just say ‘Ask Ali. He’s still the greatest.’

In honor of Ali’s birthday, here is a collection of LIFE’s greatest portraits of the fighter, from the days when he was known as Cassius Clay to his comeback in the early 1970s.

Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk.

Heavyweight contender Cassius Clay (later aka Muhammad Ali), getting his poetic mouth taped by trainer Angelo Dundee during his weigh-in before big fight with Doug Jones, 1963.
Heavyweight contender Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), getting his poetic mouth taped by trainer Angelo Dundee during his weigh-in before big fight with Doug Jones, 1963.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Boxer Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali, 1963.
Boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), 1963.James Drake—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) after defeating Doug Jones in close heavyweight bout, in Madison Square Garden, 1963.
Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) after defeating Doug Jones in a close heavyweight bout at Madison Square Garden, 1963.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Boxing heavyweight contender Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) holding up three fingers while reciting poem predicting that opponent Charlie Powell will fall in third round, 1963.
Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) holding up three fingers while reciting a poem predicting that opponent Charlie Powell will fall in the third round, 1963.Marvin Lichtner—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Cassius Clay And Malcolm X 1964
Malcolm X teasingly leaning on the shoulder of a tuxedo-clad Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), who is sitting at a soda fountain counter, surrounded by jubilant fans after beating Sonny Liston for the heavyweight championship of the world, 1964.Bob Gomel—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Cassius Clay And The Beatles 1964
Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) taking a mock shot at the Beatles: (L-R) Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison, 1964Mike Smith—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Cassius Clay later Muhammad Ali in 1965
Muhammad Ali resting, holding a picture of Sonny Liston, whom he is training to fight for a second time, 1965.Bob Gomel—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Muhammad Ali in 1965
Muhammad Ali preparing to give a boxing demonstration at a Nation of Islam Rally, Chicago, March 1, 1965. Frank Dandridge—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
World heavyweight champion, Cassius M. Clay, after winning bout against Cleveland Williams, 1966.
World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali after winning a bout against Cleveland Williams, 1966.Bob Gomel—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Muhammad Ali, posing outside the Alvin theater where "The Great White Hope" is playing, 1968.
Muhammad Ali, posing outside the Alvin theater where "The Great White Hope" is playing, 1968.Bob Gomel—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Muhammad Ali training for his fight against Joe Frazier, 1971.
Muhammad Ali training for his fight against Joe Frazier, 1971.John Shearer—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Muhammad Ali taunting Joe Frazier, 1971.
Muhammad Ali taunting Joe Frazier, 1971.John Shearer—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

More Must-Reads from TIME

Write to Eliza Berman at eliza.berman@time.com