Muhammad Ali: Rare photos of the boxing legend at home before anyone knew his name

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

New, previously unseen, photos of Muhammad Ali at home before he became a household name for his boxing and activism have surfaced.

The three-time world heavyweight champion passed away at the weekend after experiencing a septic shock due to unspecified natural causes, his family said. Ali had been ill with Parkinson’s disease for the last 30 years and prior to his death was treated in an Arizona hospital for a respiratory condition.

Tributes poured in from the boxing world, civil rights movement and beyond as fans remembered “the greatest”. Many shared their favourite videos and images of the 74-year-old, with the iconic image of Ali standing over Sonny Liston following his world heavyweight win in 1965 making the rounds.

Now, rare photos of Ali have been released by Steve Gunther from California. His father, Curt Gunther, photographed Ali on several occasions in his home in Louisville, Kentucky, reports CNN.

The photos were taken when Ali was known by his birth name Cassius Clay as he prepared for the 1960 Rome Olympics. In the shots, Ali can be seen with his father Cassius Snr, mother Odessa and brother Rudy as well as doing everyday things like speaking on the phone, watching television and sat in his car.

Another intimate photo was shared by Ali’s daughter, Hana, on Tuesday. The picture shows the pair on video chat to each other on 22 May just over a week before he died.

Ali’s body has been returned to his hometown for the funeral and public memorial which will take place on Friday.