Muhammad Ali photographs exhibited for the first time in Europe

The legendary Neil Leifer archive of Muhammad Ali photographs is to be exhibited for the first time in Europe in a stunning tribute to one of the world’s most popular icons -at London’s Proud Galleries this March. Featuring over 90 images, including many which have never been published before, Muhammad Ali is the first exhibition of Leifer’s work solely devoted to this sporting hero and the first European exhibition to have included his iconic Ali shots.

Having photographed Ali in 35 fights and 35 studio shoots over the last 40 years for publications such as Sports Illustrated and Time , Leifer has been in a unique position to capture both the highs and the lows, and the private and the personal moments of this people’s hero. From victorious shots in the ring to celebrating with his parents; from rigorous training sessions to birthday festivities, Neil Leifer’s photographs of Muhammad Ali successfully capture both the power and the charisma of this remarkable man. Included are the iconic pictures of Muhammad Ali standing over a defeated Sonny Liston in 1965, the memorable overhead shot of Ali vs. Cleveland Williams in 1966.

Muhammad Ali is an inspiration to people around the globe and this remarkable new exhibition will not only remind why but will show the public another side of this extraordinary man.

Muhammad Ali, Proud Central, 5 Buckingham Street, WC2N 6BP– 12th March – 30th April, 2004

With over 200 covers of Sports Illustrated and Time Magazine to his name Leifer has been able to work with an array of sporting heroes including Carl Lewis and Daley Thompson, amongst other events he has also photographed 4 World Cups (including 1966) and 15 Olympic Games (summer and winter), the Arsenal football team and Wimbledon but throughout this period Ali has remained Leifer’s favourite subject. The photographs on display capture Ali’s grace and agility, his power and his magnetism and serve as a lasting tribute to one of sports most accomplished performers.