Muhammad Ali Having Fun

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jun 4, 2016

Muhammad Ali Having Fun

Muhammad Ali mugs for the camera before the start of his bout with Dong Jones in 1963.

1963-0313-Angelo-Dundee-Muhammad-Ali-tape-over-mouth.jpg — AP

Trainer Angelo Dundee escorts Muhammad Ali, wearing adhesive tape over his mouth, to the weigh in for his bout with Dong Jones in 1963.

Alan Band/Keystone Features/Getty Images

Muhammad Ali comes face to face with a porpoise and enters into a barking competition in 1964. Ali was forced to concede that he had finally met someone with a bigger mouth.

Muhammad Ali takes on The Beatles—George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and Paul McCartney—leading up to his title fight with Sonny Liston in 1964.

Muhammad Ali lets out a howl as he steps to the box office leading up to his title fight with Sonny Liston in 1964.

Muhammad Ali shares a locker room laugh with actor and comedian Lincoln Perry, better known by his stage name of Stepin Fetchit, before and exhibition fight in 1970.

Muhammad Ali speaks on the phone while wearing a king's crown in 1971.

Muhammad Ali toys with the hair of Howard Cosell before the start of Olympic boxing trials in 1972.

Muhammad Ali jokes with Howard Cosell before the start of Olympic boxing trials in 1972.

Muhammad Ali jokes with Howard Cosell during an interview before his fight with Joe Bugner in 1973.

Muhammad Ali talks to a small poodle before his bout with Joe Bugner in 1973.

1973-0214-Howard-Cosell-Sammy-Davis-Jr-Muhammad-Ali-014476426.jpg — Neil Leifer

Howard Cosell and Sammy Davis Jr. laugh as Cosell interviews Muhammad Ali after his victory over Joe Bugner by unanimous decision in 1973.

Muhammad Ali looks to grab the mic during an interview on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1973.

1973-Muhammad-Ali-Ken-Norton-Johnny-Carson-017019773.jpg — Neil Leifer

Johnny Carson reacts to Muhammad Ali during Ali's weigh-in before his bout with Ken Norton in 1973.

Muhammad Ali strikes an aggressive pose at a press conference in 1974.

Muhammad Ali reacts to a newspaper in 1974

His smaller incarnation stares straight back as Muhammad Ali plays with a doll of himself in 1974

Muhammad Ali makes a face at the camera before his "Rumble in the Jungle" bout with George Foreman in 1974.

Muhammad Ali makes a face at Joe Frazier as the two fighters pose with promoter Don King leading up to the "Thrilla in Manila" in 1975.

Muhammad Ali holds wrestler Andre the Giant's massive fist to his jaw in 1976.

Muhammad Ali clowns in front of an amused airport crowd as he arrived in Munich for his title fight against Richard Dunn in 1976.

A determined old lady appears to have knocked down Muhammad Ali during West German TV show skit in 1976.

Muhammad Ali reacts to a drinking concoction given to him by Dick Gregory, an advocate of a raw fruit and vegetable diet, in 1976.

Muhammad Ali and Leon Spinks pretend to fight as Brent Musburger laughs during a press conference in 1977.

Muhammad Ali makes a face during his bout with Earnie Shavers in 1977.

Muhammad Ali delivers a punch to the body of Sammy Davis, Jr. during their benefit fight and show in 1978.

Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Muhammad Ali poses with the cast of Diff'rent Strokes while appearing on an episode of the sitcom in 1979.

Howard Cosell lays one on the chin of Muhammad Ali during a dinner marking the 20th anniversary of ABC-TV's "Wide World of Sports" in 1981.

Joe Frazier jokes around with Muhammad Ali at the ninth annual Salute to Boxing Greats in 1984.

Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard share a laugh at a party celebrating the 20th anniversary of the movie Rocky in 1996.

Julia Roberts shares a laugh with Muhammad Ali at the Amnesty International USA Media Spotlight Awards in 1998.

David Beckham and Muhammad Ali pretend to box as they attend the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards in 1999.

Muhammad Ali messes around with Billy Crystal, whose impression of Ali was notorious, during a photo shoot in 2000.

Muhammad Ali and Will Smith do their best Ali impersonations at the premiere of the movie Ali in 2001.

Muhammad Ali lies on the canvas as his son, Assad Amin Ali, stands over him invoking memories of Ali's victory over Sonny Liston during a photo shoot in 2001.

Muhammad Ali reacts to an incoming kiss from Joe Frazier as the two pose in the boxing robes they wore the night of their first bout during a photo shoot in 2003.