The Greatest Book is Unveiled in Miami GOAT: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali

(December 6, 2003) Miami, FL -- Muhammad Ali returned to the Miami Beach Convention Center, the scene of his first heavyweight title victory against Sonny Liston in February 1964. The occasion: the US launch of GOAT: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali, the mammoth 35kg (75 pounds), 792-page, 20-by-20-inch Ali life story, by German publisher, Benedikt Taschen. The book includes 3,000 images--some of which have never been published before.

A host of celebrities attended two days of celebrations, including Will Smith (who officiated at the Saturday event), producer and star P Diddy, comedian Chris Rock, celebrated artist Jeff Koons (who has created a special limited edition art piece for the book), fashion photographer Bruce Weber and writer and public speaker, Attallah Shabazz, daughter of slain political leader, Malcolm X.

Past and present luminaries from Ali's career included former trainer Angelo Dundee, current manager Bernie Yuman and photographers, writers and journalists including Budd Schulberg, 'Ring Doctor' Ferdie Pacheco, Robert Lipsyte, Neil Leifer, Howard Bingham and screenwriter, Gregory Allen Howard, spoke at the event, attended by over 4,000 people.

The musical highlight of the evening was provided by the legendary singer Etta James, backed by the Roots Band. She performed three numbers, including the classic 'At Last' and gave her own personal recollections of Muhammad Ali from onstage at the end of her set.

Actor Will Smith, who portrayed Ali in the film of the same name, commented, "He told me I was almost pretty enough to play Muhammad Ali." He also added, "Ali is my hero, and yours."

GOAT Editor and Muhammad Ali Center representative Ovais Naqvi, added, "He transcended sports and became a global humanitarian of note. That transformation in itself makes him unique in modern history."

Read more:

Release in Frankfurt, Germany

 ###