Star photographer in an interview - "I will be remembered by my pictures of Ali»

Star photographer in an interview - "I will be remembered by my pictures of Ali»

Neil Leifer already accompanied Muhammad Ali's most spectacular fights as a photographer.A conversation about adventure in Manila and Kinshasa - and why boxers are the most polite people for him.

MR.Leifer, you have been photographing boxing matches for 60 years.What was the most spectacular?

Neil Leifer: Oh, that's no question, for me the most exciting and best fight I've ever seen was the "Thrilla in Manila".The third meeting of Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.I tell you why: Sometimes you have big expectations of a struggle, but it is not fulfilled.In Manila in 1975 none of us expected anything.I was there for eight days like the whole press release from the United States, so long had you had time to acclimatize.I found the city fascinating, but everyone thought it would be an easy fight for Ali.Both were getting old, but Ali actually looked quite good in the preparation, while Frazier had clearly left his best times behind.