This photo of Muhammad Ali taken by Gordon Parks in 1966; it depicts the physical impact of boxing on fighters. Muhammad Ali won the world heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston at age 22 in 1964. In 1966, Ali refused to be drafted into the military, citing his religious beliefs and ethical opposition to the Vietnam War. He was considered to be “the greatest boxer of all time”. In this photo, we can see that his knuckles are bruised and painful. At an age of 24, he was already suffering. It is “a fact that his trainer, Angelo Dundee, tried to hide from opponents and the public.” This stark close-up of Ali’s raw and calloused knuckles, clenched into fists, emphasizes the physical brutality of the sport, even for an athlete as seemingly invincible as the young Ali.

We often see Muhammad Ali untouched by his opponents while knocking them out. However, we are often not able to see the training and hardship when Ali is outside of the boxing ring. This photo does not show his face, as everyone knows he is a good-looking athlete. Instead, it focuses on his damaged knuckles as a result of endless training and work. This image could also be symbolising the hardship of black people during the time. Broadcaster Bryant Gumbel told Ali biographer Thomas Hauser, “One of the reasons the civil rights movement went forward was that black people were able to overcome their fear. And I honestly believe that, for many black Americans, that came from watching Muhammad Ali. He simply refused to be afraid. And being that way, he gave other people courage.” He represents truth, courage, and strength. He is a legend, a symbol, a force, indomitable and inimitable, he was considered “the greatest cultural icon that sports have ever produced.”