Photographic print of Muhammad Ali training at the 5th Street Gym

In 1967, the New York State Athletic Commission suspended Muhammad Ali’s boxing license in response to his refusal to be inducted into the draft on the grounds of his religious beliefs as a minister of Islam. Ali successfully took the Commission to court, claiming discrimination in violation of his rights under the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This photograph documents his time in the 5th Street Gymnasium in 1971, soon after his license was reinstated. According to Miami sports journalist Roy Firestone, Ali was training for his March 8, 1971 match against Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden that was billed as “The Fight of the Century.”

A photographic print of Muhammad Ali training in the 5th Street Gym in Miami. The low-angle photograph, features Ali shirtless, with Everlast boxing shorts. His left hand, ungloved, punches up towards a speed bag, while his right hand, ungloved, is in a fist at his midline. Posters for fights at Madison Square Garden are visible in the background. The back of the photograph has copyright and photographer information.