Muhammed Ali Training Underwater, 1961-62

'Perhaps the most successful image I represented was Flip Schulke's now iconic image of Muhammed Ali "training" underwater. The story behind the image is as striking as the photograph itself. A Miami based photojournalist who had covered Martin Luther King for Life, Schulke was introduced to Ali in 1960 and mentioned that he also did underwater photography. Hearing this Ali confided to Schulke that his secret training routine involved a strenuous underwater workout. The boxer would allow Schulke to photograph him if the pictures ran in Life. The session proceeded early the next week, and the pictures dutifully ran in Life. Decades later, Ali confessed to Neil Leifer that it had all been an elaborate ruse to get into the magazine! But with Ali's flawless showmanship, he looks completely convincing!' - J.D.