From the S&S archives: Champ wins on points at Augsburg

Muhammad Ali, world heavyweight boxing champ, entertainer, philosopher, poet, ambassador of good will, promoter of universal brotherhood, moneyspinner, moneyspender and all-round helluva guy floated into Augsburg, Germany, Thursday and gave the GIs and the schoolkids a show they'll never forget. Not a show in the formal sense — no need for that because Ali WAS the show. Wherever the champion went, whatever he did, he never missed a beat in that peculiar rhythm that gives a special tone to his showmanship. He did a lot of clowning and bragging and spoofing, but sometimes he was serious. The man who can make a million bucks in ten minutes spent ten hours visiting the troops in Augsburg — because he thought it was a "nice gesture."

Muhammad Ali arrives at Sheridan Barracks in Augsburg, Germany. Ali had beaten Richard Dunn in a fight at Munich a few days earlier.

Wherever Ali went at Augsburg, photographers followed.

Muhammad Ali meets his fans. He reminded the crowd that he was "the greatest boxer in the entire world, in the whole, entire world," not to mention "the most recognized man in the whole world."

The heavyweight champ is hemmed in by soldiers at Augsburg.

Muhammad Ali autographs a poster bearing drawings of him and his famous slogan "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

Muhammad Ali does a little speed testing with Brig. Gen. James M. Wroth, commanding general of VII Corps Artillery.

Ali throws a playful punch. The champ reminisced about his second fight against Sonny Liston in Lewiston, Maine, in 1965: "When I hit Liston the second time it was so fast people said 'I want my money back. I paid $100 a ringside seat, bought a hot dog and a Coke and I'll be damned if Liston didn't sit down before I did.'"

Ali talks to a crowd of more than 1,200 fascinated schoolkids at the Augsburg American School. After visiting the school, Ali attended a race-relations class where he lectured on the need for mankind to return to the teachings and abide by the laws of God.

Muhammad Ali defends himself against the playful onslaught of Augsburg Elementary School pupils.

Muhammad Ali signs an autograph during a visit to the hospital at Flak Casern.