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Muhammad Ali smiling, a towel over his head, gloves raised

TheGreatest

The eight-part series, premiering on Prime Nov. 4, explores Cassius Clay’s early days in the ring, from his gold-medal victory at the 1960 Olympics in Rome to his championship bout against Sonny Liston in February 1964. ‘The Greatest’ brought together a diverse cast of actors who became as close as a family and a crew that brought the fighter’s universe to life.

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THE SERIES

‘The Greatest’ was created by Ben Watkins and executive produced by Lonnie Ali, wife of the late boxer, and Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society, among others.

Behind the Scenes

Authentically recreating Clay’s world in modern-day Canada required a lot of homework from a team that considered no detail to be too small.

An actor in a white T-shirt runs along the shoreline at dusk while a camera crane mounted on a utility vehicle films alongside him.

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Save for a few quick trips to Louisville, Miami and Rome, ‘The Greatest’ was filmed in Ontario, meaning that production designer Elisa Sauve had to recreate several worlds—from a different era—north of the border. They consulted Black-operated archives, local photography as well as phone books. “We tried to stay true to the grittiness of life back then,” Sauve says.

THE FIGHTS

Before he got his chance to take the heavyweight belt from Sonny Liston, Clay had to prove his mettle against an array of boxers.

Cassius Clay lands a jab at the 1960 Rome Olympics

1960

  1. Summer OlympicsLocationRome

    Key event: SEP 05

  2. vs.Tunney HunsakerLocationLouisville

    OCT 29

  3. vs.Herb SilerLocationMiami Beach

    DEC 27

“Clay was as fast as lightning. He’s awfully good for an 18-year-old. ”
– TUNNEY HUNSAKERCLAY'S OPPONENT IN FIRST PRO FIGHT
A referee raises Ali’s arm in victory

1961

  1. VersusTony EspertiLocationMiami beach

    JAN 17

  2. VersusJim RobinsonLocationMiami Beach

    FEB 07

  3. VersusDonnie FleemanLocationMiami Beach

    FEB 21

  4. VersusLaMar ClarkLocationLouisville

    Key event: APR 19

  5. VersusDuke SabedongLocationWinchester, Nev.

    JUN 26

  6. VersusAlonzo JohnsonLocationLouisville

    JUL 22

  7. VersusAlex MiteffLocationLouisville

    OCT 07

  8. VersusWilli BesmanoffLocationLouisville

    NOV 29

“I think that Johnson’s secret weapon is something that will keep him from flying out of the ring when I hit him. But don’t worry, I’ve got two secret weapons. One I calls my left. One I calls my right.”
– Cassius ClayAhead of Johnson fight
Ali in the ring in front of a press row

1962

  1. vs.Sonny BanksLocationNew York City

    FEB 10

  2. vs.Don WarnerLocationMiami Beach

    FEB 28

  3. vs.George LoganLocationLos Angeles

    APR 23

  4. vs.Billy DanielsLocationNew York City

    MAY 19

  5. vs.Alejandro LavoranteLocationLos Angeles

    Key event: JUL 20

  6. vs.Archie MooreLocationLos Angeles

    NOV 15

“You know what I’m going to get after this fight? A candy-apple-red 1963 Fleetwood Cadillac. A convertible. I want my top down. I’m going to ride with a fox on each side of me and my record player playing Chubby Checker and $500 in my pocket for spending money.”
– Cassius ClayAhead of Moore fight
Ali and an opponent in a tight clinch

1963

  1. vs.Charlie PowellLocationPittsburgh

    Key event: JAN 24

  2. vs.Doug JonesLocationNew York City

    MAR 13

  3. vs.Henry CooperLocationLondon

    JUN 18

“’E said ’e would, and ’e did it, and that’s ’ow it goes. It can’t be ’elped.”
– Henry CooperAfter fifth-round tko loss
Overhead view of the ring after Clay beat Liston

1964

  1. vs.Sonny ListonLocationMiami Beach

    Key event: FEB 21

“I don’t really care what people say about me as long as they buy a ticket to see me. After they pay their money, they’re entitled to a little fun.”
– Cassius ClayAhead of Liston fight

The SI Covers

SI cover, June 10, 1963: "Cassius Invades Britain." A shirtless young Cassius Clay, arms crossed, in white Everlast trunks, stands before Big Ben and Westminster Bridge at dusk.

Cassius Invades Britain

June 10, 1963

SI cover, February 24, 1964: "My $1,000,000 Getaway, by Cassius Clay." Clay, in a gray suit and tie, sits in an open bank vault holding a stack of cash above a large pile of banded bills and a money bag.

My $1,000,000 Getaway

Feb. 24, 1964

SI cover, March 9, 1964: "Cassius—His Fight and His Future." Cassius Clay throws a punch at Sonny Liston during their heavyweight title fight, with photographers lined up along the ring apron.

Cassius—His Fight and His Future

March 9, 1964

SI cover, November 16, 1964: "The Big Fight: Can Clay Do It Again?" Cassius Clay lands a long left jab on Sonny Liston's face under the arena lights, a red ring rope blurred in the foreground.

The Big Fight: Can Clay Do It Again?

Nov. 16, 1964

SI cover, May 24, 1965: "Cassius Clay vs. Sonny Liston." A shirtless Clay in red gloves poses in a fighting stance in front of a large stylized painting of Liston's face.

Cassius Clay vs. Sonny Liston

May 24, 1965

SI cover, June 7, 1965: "The Fight You Didn't See." Muhammad Ali lands a right to the head of Sonny Liston, who covers up, as ringside photographers look on.

The Fight You Didn’t See

June 7, 1965

SI cover, November 22, 1965: "The Big Fight." Neon signs reading "Clay vs. Patterson" and "Las Vegas" glow above a smiling Clay and Floyd Patterson, who stands with arms crossed.

The Big Fight: Clay vs. Patterson

Nov. 22, 1965

SI cover, April 11, 1966: "Cassius Clay: The Man, the Muslim, the Mystery." Ali pounds a right to George Chuvalo's head as sweat sprays in the ring.

Cassius Clay: The Man, the Muslim, the Mystery

April 11, 1966

SI cover, Feb. 6, 1967: "The Big Fight: Clay vs. Terrell." A multiple-exposure image of Ali in white trunks moving across a hot-pink background, captioned "Ali Unveils the Double-clutch Shuffle."

The Big Fight: Clay vs. Terrell

Feb. 6, 1967

SI cover, July 10, 1967: "The Scramble for Ali's Title." Ali raises both gloved fists against a red background above four heavyweight contenders posed in a boxing ring.

The Scramble for Ali’s Title

July 10, 1967

SI cover, May 5, 1969: "Ali–Clay: The Once—and Future?—King." Ali wears a jeweled gold crown and an ermine-trimmed red robe in front of an ornate patterned rug.

Ali–Clay: The Once—and Future?—King

May 5, 1969

SI cover, March 1, 1971: "The Slugger and the Boxer." A colorful painting of Joe Frazier and Ali squaring off in the ring against swirls of pink, yellow and blue.

The Slugger and the Boxer

March 1, 1971

SI cover, March 15, 1971: "End of the Ali Legend." Joe Frazier, in green trunks, and Ali, in red trunks, face off during their first fight as ringside photographers watch.

End of the Ali Legend

March 15, 1971

SI cover, July 26, 1971: "Ali on the eve of the Ellis fight: 'The Future Is a Mist.'" A close-up portrait of Ali in a brown jacket staring into the camera, a fight poster blurred behind him.

‘The Future Is a Mist’

July 26, 1971

SI cover, April 23, 1973: "The Jaw Is Broken but the Mouth Lives On." Ali, in a patterned shirt, eats soft food from a bowl with a spoon while looking at the camera.

The Jaw Is Broken but the Mouth Lives On

April 23, 1973

SI cover, February 4, 1974: "Ali Again." Ali, in white Everlast trunks, lands a long left on Joe Frazier through the blue ring ropes.

Ali Again

Feb. 4, 1974

SI cover, Oct. 28, 1974: "The Fight in Africa: Foreman, Ali." A psychedelic illustration of George Foreman's and Ali's faces set inside the outline of the African continent.

The Fight in Africa: Foreman, Ali

Oct. 28, 1974

SI cover, Nov. 11, 1974: "Taking Back the Title: How Ali Fooled Them All." Ali lands a right to George Foreman's face as sweat flies.

How Ali Fooled Them All

Nov. 11, 1974

SI cover, Dec. 23, 1974: "Muhammad Ali, Sportsman of the Year." A smiling Ali in a black tuxedo, ruffled shirt and red carnation adjusts his cuff.

Muhammad Ali, Sportsman of the Year

Dec. 23, 1974

SI cover, Sept. 15, 1975: "Boxing's New Barnum." Promoter Don King, holding a cigar, poses behind Ali and Joe Frazier in boxing gloves, "the stars of the Thrilla in Manila."

Boxing’s New Barnum

September 15, 1975

SI cover, October 13, 1975: "The Epic Battle." Ali lands a left on Joe Frazier during their fight in Manila, photographers crowded at ringside.

The Epic Battle

Oct. 13, 1975

SI cover, March 1, 1976: "Ali's Road Show Rolls On." Ali throws a left at Belgian challenger Jean-Pierre Coopman, in red trunks; the caption reads "The Champ Tames His Lion."

Ali’s Road Show Rolls On

March 1, 1976

SI cover, October 10, 1977: "Ali's Desperate Hour." Ali covers up against the ropes as Earnie Shavers lands a right to his head.

Ali’s Desperate Hour

Oct. 10, 1977

SI cover, September 25, 1978: "The Champ Again." Ali lands a right on Leon Spinks during their rematch.

The Champ Again

Sept. 25, 1978

SI cover, April 14, 1980: "Look Who's Back! Muhammad Ali (with mustache)." A mustached Ali in Everlast headgear, mouthguard and red gloves sits in a training ring.

Look Who’s Back! Muhammad Ali (with Mustache)

April 14, 1980

SI cover, September 29, 1980: Ali, in white trunks with a bee logo, poses in a fighting stance beside his quote predicting he will knock out Larry Holmes to become heavyweight champion for a record fourth time.

‘He’s No Liston. He’s No Frazier.’

Sept. 29, 1980

SI cover, October 13, 1980: "The Last Hurrah." A weary, swollen-eyed Ali slumps on his corner stool with his mouthguard in as a trainer leans over him.

The Last Hurrah

Oct. 13, 1980

SI cover, April 25, 1988: "Muhammad Ali: The Man and His Entourage Today." A black-and-white close-up portrait of an older Ali looking into the camera.

Muhammad Ali: The Man and His Entourage Today

April 25, 1988

SI 35th Anniversary Special Issue cover, 1989: "The Champ: Ali graces our cover for a record 31st time." Ali, in a suit, holds up his 1963 "Cassius Invades Britain" cover in front of a backdrop of famous athletes' names.

The Champ: Ali Graces Our Cover for a Record 31st Time

Nov. 15, 1989

SI cover, January 13, 1992: "Once and Forever." In black and white, a smiling Ali in a tuxedo stands behind a boxing-ring birthday cake with a "50" and candles, marking his 50th birthday.

Once and Forever

Jan. 13, 1992

SI 40th Anniversary Issue cover, September 19, 1994: "40 for the Ages." A colorful collage of sports figures, including Ali in the upper left, beside a column of 40 names that includes Muhammad Ali.

40 for the Ages

Sept. 19, 1994

SI cover, September 30, 1996: "Battle of the Champions: Ali vs. Frazier." An older Ali and Joe Frazier face each other with fists raised; "25 years after the first of their epic fights, they're still slugging it out."

Battle of the Champions: Ali vs. Frazier

Sept. 30, 1996

SI cover, July 13, 1998: "Who's That Guy with Howard Bingham? You don't know Muhammad Ali until you know his best friend." Photographer Howard Bingham, holding a camera, wraps an arm around a seated Ali in a boxing ring.

Who’s That Guy with Howard Bingham?

July 13, 1998

SI cover, December 28, 1998–January 4, 1999: "What's the Best Sports Year Ever?" A young Ali, Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan appear beside a column of candidate years.

What’s the Best Sports Year Ever?

Dec. 28, 1998

SI cover, July 26, 1999: "The Century's Greatest Sports Photos." Ali stands shouting over a fallen Sonny Liston in their May 25, 1965, rematch.

The Century’s Greatest Sports Photos

July 26, 1999

SI cover, November 29, 1999: "Looking Back: A 20th Century Celebration." An illustrated blue eye whose iris is made of classic sports photographs.

Looking Back: A 20th Century Celebration

Nov. 29, 1999

SI 50th Anniversary Special Issue cover, April 26, 2004: "The Pictures: 50 Years of SI Photography." Black-and-white contact sheets, with one frame of Ali standing over a fallen opponent circled in red.

The Pictures: 50 Years of SI Photography

April 26, 2004

SI cover, October 5, 2015: "Muhammad Ali. Still fighting, still inspiring: The Legacy of the Greatest Still Grows." A young Ali, gloves raised, stands in dramatic light against a black background.

The Legacy of the Greatest Still Grows

Oct. 5, 2015

SI cover, June 13, 2016: "The Greatest." A young, smiling Ali, sweat on his skin and hands taped, leans on the ring ropes.

The Greatest

June 13, 2016

Photo credits: The Stanley Weston Archive/Getty Images; Chase Ali-Watkins (16); 1960: Jerry Cooke/Sports Illustrated (2); 1961: Robert Steinau/The Courier-Journal/USA TODAY Network/Imagn Images; 1962: Hy Peskin/Sports Illustrated; Harold P. Matosian/AP (Moore); 1963: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images (2); 1964: Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated; Bettmann Archive/Getty Images (celebration); The Stanley Weston Archive/Getty Images (fight action); Neal Barr/Sports Illustrated (06/10/1963); Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated (02/24/1964); Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (03/09/1964); Herb Scharfman/Sports Illustrated (11/16/1964); Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated (05/24/1965); George Silk/Sports Illustrated (06/07/1965); Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (11/22/1965); Tony Triolo/Sports Illustrated (04/11/1966); Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (02/06/1967); James Drake/Sports Illustrated (07/10/1967); Phillip Leonian/Sports Illustrated (05/05/1969); Robert Handville/Sports Illustrated (03/01/1971); Tony Triolo/Sports Illustrated (03/15/1971); Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (06/26/1971); Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (04/23/1973); Tony Triolo/Sports Illustrated (02/04/1974); Donald Moss/Sports Illustrated (10/28/1974); Ken Regan/Camera 5/Sports Illustrated (11/11/1974); Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (12/23/1974); Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (09/15/1975); Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (10/13/1975); Co Rentmeester/Sports Illustrated (03/01/1976); Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (10/10/1977); James Drake/Sports Illustrated (09/25/1978); Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated (04/14/1980); Lane Stewart/Sports Illustrated (09/29/1980); John Iacono/Sports Illustrated (10/13/1980); Gregory Heisler/Sports Illustrated (04/25/1988); Mark Hanauer/Sports Illustrated (11/15/1989); Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (01/13/1992); Illustration by SI Imaging/Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (09/19/1994); Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated (09/30/1996); Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (07/13/1998); Illustration by SI Imaging/Bob Gomel/Time & Life Pictures/Sports Illustrated (12/28/1998); Neil Leifer /Sports Illustrated (07/26/1999); Photo Illustration by Matt Mahurin/Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (11/29/1999); Illustration by SI Imaging/Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (04/26/2004); Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (10/05/2015); Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated (06/13/2016)