He is considered the most famous and influential boxer of all time, and as a cultural figure combining athletic brilliance, political convictions and showmanship, Mohammed Ali is honored for the first time with an official stamp bearing his image.
"As guardian of her legacy, I am thrilled. I'm enthusiastic, said Lonnie Ali, widow of the champion. "Because every time people look at this stamp, they will remember it. And for me, it’s very moving.
A fighter in the ring and caring in life, Muhammad Ali died in 2016 at the age of 74 after suffering from Parkinson's disease for more than three decades. Throughout his life and even after his death, the one we nicknamed "The Greatest" has received numerous accolades, including an Olympic gold medal in 1960, the United Nations Messenger of Peace Award in 1998, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.
According to Lonnie Ali, the fact that his face appears on a stamp is of particular importance because it highlights his mission of spreading compassion and his ability to connect with people.
The stamp was unveiled to the public during a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, the birthplace of the famous boxer and home of the Muhammad Ali Center, which traces his life and legacy.
Each sheet of 20 stamps also features a photo of Ali posing in a striped suit, in tribute to his work as an activist and humanitarian. Twenty-two million stamps were printed. Once sold out, they won't be reprinted, U.S. Postal Service officials said. The stamps are expected to generate a lot of interest among the general public.
