And In This Corner: Cassius Clay Tickets

As boxing fans around the world reveled in Muhammad Ali's perfect record in the ring, many were also drawn to his equally entertaining personality outside of it. And In This Corner: Cassius Clay, a 1962 documentary about the boxer's life and career leading up to a pivotal fight against Sonny Liston, captures both aspects of his appeal.

But for Ali – then known as Cassius Clay – entertaining audiences wasn't just a byproduct of his success as a fighter. It was a crucial element of his self-promotion from the beginning.

"I'm the greatest thing that ever lived!" he proclaims early on in the film. "I don't have a mark on my face, and I'm lost for words for the first time in my life, because I'm gonna whup Sonny Liston's behind!"

Ali's boldness and braggadocio are on full display in And In This Corner, as he jokingly insults opponents and confidently predicts his own victories. But there's more to his antics than just bravado: they invite the audience to share in his triumphs and defeats, making boxing a family-friendly affair that parents and kids can enjoy together.

The documentary emphasizes this inclusive atmosphere, highlighting moments of humor and camaraderie between Ali and his team. We see him joking with his trainer, who tells him to take notes on Liston's performance in an upcoming fight, prompting Ali to pretend to scribble with an imaginary pencil. Later, he involved his younger brother Rudolph in a sparring session, grinning as they playfully bounce around the ring.

These scenes humanize Ali and make him relatable to viewers of all ages, even as he becomes a larger-than-life figure in the public eye. By emphasizing the fun and excitement of boxing rather than just its violence, he helped reshape the sport's image and appeal to a wider audience.

Of course, not everyone was on board with Ali's antics. His brash persona and outspoken political views earned him plenty of critics and enemies, and the film briefly touches on these controversies. But even in moments of conflict – such as when Ali is denied a boxing license due to his refusal to be drafted into the Vietnam War – he remains an engaging figure who draws us in with his charisma and conviction.

With And In This Corner: Cassius Clay, viewers get a glimpse into the early days of one of the most influential athletes and cultural icons of the 20th century. But it's not just a historical artifact for boxing or Ali fans – it's a testament to the power of personality and showmanship in capturing the public imagination, something that remains just as relevant today in sports and entertainment alike.