Mohammed Ali/s Final Photos

THIS is the last official portrait of Muhammad Ali.

Proud to the end, the boxing legend, 74, stares defiantly into the camera lens just two months ago.
Ali, weary from 32 years battling Parkinson’s disease, was unrecognisable from his heyday.
British photographer Zenon Texeira said “I felt his aura” during their time together.
Ali poses with his fists raised one last time in a haunting final photoshoot.
The pictures show The Greatest still refusing to give in to

Parkinson’s disease.
He even manages the unmistakeable hint of a playful smile in what was to be his last ever series of official portraits.
Ali, 74, was so frail he had to be helped into a chair in Phoenix, Arizona.
Texeira, who was invited into Ali’s home, has now told how the three-time heavyweight boxing champ had lost none of his fighting spirit.

“I knew I was in the presence of greatness,” he told The Sun.
His historic pictures showing a fragile but defiant Ali just weeks before his death have never been published before.
Zenon has told how the legend’s family gave their blessing to him being photographed.
Despite his crippling condition, father-of-nine Ali, famed not only as boxing’s greatest hero but also as a crusader for civil rights, was “in good spirits”. Zenon said: “It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to photograph one of the biggest icons this planet has ever

seen.
“Muhammad was a delight to photograph.
“I feel blessed to have met my all-time sporting hero.
“To capture his majesty with such intimacy fulfils a dream.”
He admitted he was racked with nerves while “photographing the most photographed icon of all time”. “It is the proudest moment for me,” he said.
“Muhammad Ali means a lot to so many people all over the world.
“His legacy will never be forgotten.

 “These unique portraits add to the giant tapestry of imagery that recorded the Champ’s life.”

Zenon was unsure when he travelled to the US whether Ali would be well enough to be photographed at all.
He was only too aware that the fight king’s 32-year battle with Parkinson’s had left him a shell of his former self. Recalling how the photos came about, the Brit said: “It’s Friday evening and I’m in the office trying to justify the gamble of catching an early morning flight to Phoenix, Arizona, to capture the portrait of the greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali.
“He’s 74-years-old and fragile but willing to be photographed in Phoenix.
“Arriving there on Saturday evening gave me a chance to Google the Champ and refresh myself on his life in and out of the ring.
“I go to sleep past midnight knowing I’ll have time to prepare before our scheduled 2pm shoot.
“I can’t sleep and I’m in bed, laptop by my side with a muted TV screen lighting up the room.
“Now and then my laptop pings with the arrival of a message.
“An email arrives and requests my attendance at 2pm that afternoon.”
Zenon told how in his eyes the boxer looked “as pretty as ever”.
-Agencies