Memorable Images: Muhammad Ali

Boxing promoter Harry Leverne (background left), match maker Mickey Duff (background middle) and trainer Angelo Dundee (background right) listen as world heavyweight champion Mohammad Ali (formerly Cassius Clay) is interviewed by television reporters upon his arrival at London Airport. Ali is in London for a fight against Henry Cooper. England, 1966. Location: London Airport, London, England. Date: May 09, 1966. Image: Hulton Deutsch

Mohammad Ali remains the greatest ever in boxing; when boxing was dying a natural death and he popped up, everybody got paid till today which also signaled the sport's commercial success.

Memorable Images: Boxing: Jack Johnson Vs. James Jeffries

The first colored heavyweight champion in American history was Jack Johnson, who held sway from 1908 to 1915. In 1910, James Jeffries, hog-fat and long past his prime, attempted unsuccessfully to come out of retirement and beat Johnson. In contrast to Joe Louis' universal popularity today, Johnson's reign was resented by white fight fans who yearned for a "white hope" to depose him. Date: July 94, 1910. Location: Reno, Nevada.