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Muhammad Ali Takes to the Ring -- for Book Launch Thursday, October 09, 2003 9:48 a.m. ET By Paul Majendie FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Muhammad Ali took to a boxing ring again Thursday but this time to launch a photo book reliving the glory days when he floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee. Given a tumultuous reception at the Frankfurt book fair by crowds chanting "Ali Ali," he raised his fists for the cameras in a boxing ring specially constructed for his appearance. He then posed, the picture of taciturn dignity, turning the pages of the photo book that showed him in his prime fighting "The Rumble in the Jungle" and "The Thriller in Manila." It was a poignant sight. There was such a stark contrast between the glorious athlete in the photos and the 61-year-old ravaged by Parkinson's disease. Every movement was an effort. The first man to win the world heavyweight title three times now proudly sports a mustache. His wife, Lonnie, said: "It's not my favorite but he likes it. Muhammad says he now looks like Dark Gable -- not Clark Gable but Dark Gable." The boxer who at the height of his fame could lay claim to being the most famous man on the planet may be a shadow of his former self but he bathed in the adulation of the cheering crowds and happily posed for dozens of photos. The outpouring of almost Messianic affection from the crowd was overpowering. Hands reached out to touch him. Fans chanted "You are the Greatest." The book, a gargantuan labor of love by German publisher Benedikt Taschen, is simply titled GOAT -- which stands for Greatest of All Time. The glossy book, with 3,000 photographs chronicling his glorious career, would test the sturdiest coffee table. The mammoth tome tips the scales at 75 pounds. For $3,500, boxing fans can buy one of the 10,000 copies in the limited edition. "Every one has been signed by Muhammad Ali. It took him a year," Taschen said. At the news conference to launch his book, Ali's entourage of faithful followers lined up to pay tribute. Trainer Angelo Dundee, his bald pate playfully rubbed by Ali, said: "It was so much fun to work with him. This book brings everything back to life." Photographer Neil Leifer, who has spent 40 years capturing the champ, said: "Muhammad genuinely loved the camera. He is the easiest subject you could dream of having." And the book movingly provided Muhammad Ali a chance to write his own epitaph: "I'd like to be remembered as a black man who won the heavyweight title and who was humorous and who treated everyone right. "As a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him and who helped as many of his people as he could financially and also in their fight for freedom, justice and equality." ($1 = 0.85 euros) SOURCE: Wired News / Reuters UK http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=789130 * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn