Muhammad Ali, at a September, 1976 New York City press conference promoting "The Greatest," a movie about his life in which he portrays himself. "I predict this is going to be the greatest movie of all time," Ali noted in characteristic fashion. "After all, I am the most famous person in the world ... I'm telling you, Charlton Heston is in trouble, Steve McQueen is in trouble, Paul Newman is in trouble, Robert Redford is in trouble. They're all in trouble now." (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, at a September, 1976 New York City press conference promoting "The Greatest," a movie about his life in which he portrays himself. "I predict this is going to be the greatest movie of all time," Ali noted in characteristic fashion. "After all, I am the most famous person in the world ... I'm telling you, Charlton Heston is in trouble, Steve McQueen is in trouble, Paul Newman is in trouble, Robert Redford is in trouble. They're all in trouble now." (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, at a September, 1976 New York City press conference promoting "The Greatest," a movie about his life in which he portrays himself. "I predict this is going to be the greatest movie of all time," Ali noted in characteristic fashion. "After all, I am the most famous person in the world ... I'm telling you, Charlton Heston is in trouble, Steve McQueen is in trouble, Paul Newman is in trouble, Robert Redford is in trouble. They're all in trouble now." (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

At a New York City press conference in September, 1976, Muhammad Ali poses with Phillip "Chip" McAllister, left, and James Leroy Smith, who play him in his younger days in an upcoming film, "The Greatest," a biography that also stars James Earl Jones, Ernest Borgnine and Robert Duvall. "I predict this is going to be the greatest movie of all time," Ali noted in characteristic fashion. "After all, I am the most famous person in the world ... I'm telling you, Charlton Heston is in trouble, Steve McQueen is in trouble, Paul Newman is in trouble, Robert Redford is in trouble. They're all in trouble now." (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, at a September, 1976 New York City press conference promoting "The Greatest," a movie about his life in which he portrays himself. "I predict this is going to be the greatest movie of all time," Ali noted in characteristic fashion. "After all, I am the most famous person in the world ... I'm telling you, Charlton Heston is in trouble, Steve McQueen is in trouble, Paul Newman is in trouble, Robert Redford is in trouble. They're all in trouble now." (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, at a September, 1976 New York City press conference promoting "The Greatest," a movie about his life in which he portrays himself. "I predict this is going to be the greatest movie of all time," Ali noted in characteristic fashion. "After all, I am the most famous person in the world ... I'm telling you, Charlton Heston is in trouble, Steve McQueen is in trouble, Paul Newman is in trouble, Robert Redford is in trouble. They're all in trouble now." (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali visits the hospital at Flak Casern in Augsburg, West Germany, in May, 1976. (Jim Cole/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali visits the hospital at Flak Casern in Augsburg, West Germany, in May, 1976. (Jim Cole/Stars and Stripes)

Ali throws a playful punch during a visit to Augsburg, West Germany, in May, 1976. (Jim Cole/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali defends himself against the playful onslaught of Augsburg Elementary School pupils during a visit to Augsburg, West Germany, in May, 1976. (Jim Cole)

Muhammad Ali talks to a crowd of more than 1,200 fascinated schoolkids at the Augsburg American School in May, 1976. 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. (Jim Cole/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali does a little speed testing with Brig. Gen. James M. Wroth, commanding general of VII Corps Artillery, during a visit to Augsburg, West Germany, in May, 1976. (Jim Cole/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali arrives at Sheridan Barracks in Augsburg, West Germany, in May, 1976. Ali had beaten Richard Dunn in a fight at Munich a few days earlier. (Jim Cole/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali arrives at Sheridan Barracks in Augsburg, West Germany, in May, 1976. Ali had beaten Richard Dunn in a fight at Munich a few days earlier. (Jim Cole/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali arrives at Sheridan Barracks in Augsburg, West Germany, in May, 1976. Ali had beaten Richard Dunn in a fight at Munich a few days earlier. (Jim Cole/Stars and Stripes)

Antonio Inoki challenges Muhammad Ali to get down on the mat during an exhibition (billed as the "World Martial Arts Championship") between the heavyweight boxing champ and the Brazilian-Japanese pro wrestler at Tokyo's Budokan Hall in June, 1976. The match, which consisted mostly of Inoki lying on the mat attempting to deliver kicks to the thigh, wasn't exactly a bright spot on Ali's record. One Stripes reporter called it a farce, while another said "the best thing that can be said about it was that it ended." Ali was paid about six million dollars and Inoki three million; Angelo Dundee, Ali's trainer, said beforehand that he was "gonna grab the money and run like a thief in the night." (Tim Wehr/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali in his corner during an exhibition match with wrestler Antonio Inoki in Tokyo in June, 1976. (Tim Wehr/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali poses with pro wrestler Fred Blassie, one of his advisors for his exhibition match with wrestler Antonio Inoki in Tokyo in June, 1976. (Tim Wehr/Stars and Stri)

Muhammad Ali scowls at his next opponent, wrestler Antonio Inoki, during a luncheon at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan in June, 1976. In the background is Jun Rhee, a Korean taekwondo expert who was said to be teaching karate to Ali in preparation for the exhibition event that would be called "unusual" by the more generous and "a farce" by others. (Tim Wehr/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali in South Korea in June, 1976. Ali, who had recently taken part in a boxing-wrestling match against Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, was greeted by thousands of Koreans who lined his motorcade route from the airport to Seoul. (Chung Tae-won/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali in South Korea in June, 1976. Ali, who had recently taken part in a boxing-wrestling match against Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, was greeted by thousands of Koreans who lined his motorcade route from the airport to Seoul. (Chung Tae-won/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, during a visit with 2nd Infantry Division troops at the Shoonover Bowl outdoor theater, near the Korean DMZ, in June, 1976. Ali, who had recently taken part in a boxing-wrestling match against Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, was greeted by thousands of Koreans who lined his motorcade route from the airport to Seoul. (Chung Tae-won/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, during a visit with 2nd Infantry Division troops at the Shoonover Bowl outdoor theater, near the Korean DMZ, in June, 1976. Ali, who had recently taken part in a boxing-wrestling match against Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, was greeted by thousands of Koreans who lined his motorcade route from the airport to Seoul. (Chung Tae-won/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali spars with a volunteer from the ranks during a visit with 2nd Infantry Division troops at the Shoonover Bowl outdoor theater, near the Korean DMZ, in June, 1976. Ali, who had recently taken part in a boxing-wrestling match against Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, was greeted by thousands of Koreans who lined his motorcade route from the airport to Seoul. (Chung Tae-won/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali spars with a volunteer from the ranks during a visit with 2nd Infantry Division troops at the Shoonover Bowl outdoor theater, near the Korean DMZ, in June, 1976. Ali, who had recently taken part in a boxing-wrestling match against Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, was greeted by thousands of Koreans who lined his motorcade route from the airport to Seoul. (Chung Tae-won/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, during a visit with 2nd Infantry Division troops at the Shoonover Bowl outdoor theater, near the Korean DMZ, in June, 1976. Ali, who had recently taken part in a boxing-wrestling match against Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, was greeted by thousands of Koreans who lined his motorcade route from the airport to Seoul. (Chung Tae-won/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali presents trophies to participants in a martial arts demonstration during a visit with 2nd Infantry Division troops at the Shoonover Bowl outdoor theater, near the Korean DMZ, in June, 1976. Ali, who had recently taken part in a boxing-wrestling match against Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, was greeted by thousands of Koreans who lined his motorcade route from the airport to Seoul. (Chung Tae-won/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, during a press conference at Frankfurt International Airport in October, 1975. Ali, the reigning world heavyweight boxing champion after a TKO victory over Joe Frazier weeks before, was promoting his book at the Frankfurt book fair. (Jim Cole/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, during a press conference at Frankfurt International Airport in October, 1975. Ali, the reigning world heavyweight boxing champion after a TKO victory over Joe Frazier weeks before, was promoting his book at the Frankfurt book fair. (Jim Cole/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, during a press conference at Frankfurt International Airport in October, 1975. Ali, the reigning world heavyweight boxing champion after a TKO victory over Joe Frazier weeks before, was promoting his book at the Frankfurt book fair. (Jim Cole/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, during a press conference at Frankfurt International Airport in October, 1975. Ali, the reigning world heavyweight boxing champion after a TKO victory over Joe Frazier weeks before, was promoting his book at the Frankfurt book fair. (Jim Cole/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali and Mac Foster meet with reporters after their fight in Tokyo in 1972. Ali beat Foster in 15 rounds. (Hideyuki Mihashi/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali unloads on Mac Foster meet during their fight in Tokyo in 1972. Ali beat Foster in 15 rounds. (Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, during his fight with Mac Foster in Tokyo in 1972. Ali beat Foster in 15 rounds. (Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali and Mac Foster, at the weigh-in for their upcoming fight in Tokyo in 1972. Ali beat Foster in 15 rounds. ( Hideyuki Mihashi/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, at the weigh-in for his upcoming fight with Mac Foster in Tokyo in 1972. He beat Foster in 15 rounds. ( Hideyuki Mihashi/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali works out at Tokyo's Tanabe Gym in preparation for his upcoming fight with Mac Foster in 1972. He beat Foster in 15 rounds. (Hideyuki Mihashi/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, in training at Tokyo's Tanabe Gym in 1972, makes it clear: He expects his upcoming fight with Mac Foster to go only five rounds. Foster proved to be tougher than that, lasting 15 rounds, but Ali won a unanimous decision. (Hideyuki Mihashi/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali works out at Tokyo's Tanabe Gym in preparation for his upcoming fight with Mac Foster in 1972. He beat Foster in 15 rounds. (Hideyuki Mihashi/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali works out at Tokyo's Tanabe Gym in preparation for his upcoming fight with Mac Foster in 1972. He beat Foster in 15 rounds. (Hideyuki Mihashi/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali works out at Tokyo's Tanabe Gym in preparation for his upcoming fight with Mac Foster in 1972. He beat Foster in 15 rounds. (Hideyuki Mihashi/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali jokes with dignitaries as he works out at Tokyo's Tanabe Gym in preparation for his upcoming fight with Mac Foster in 1972. He beat Foster in 15 rounds. (Hideyuki Mihashi/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali works out at Tokyo's Tanabe Gym in preparation for his upcoming fight with Mac Foster in 1972. He beat Foster in 15 rounds. (Hideyuki Mihashi/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali meets a young fan during a visit to Yokota Air Base in March, 1972, a few days before his fight with Mac Foster in Tokyo. A crowd of about 4,500 turned out to hear Ali deliver a series of his famed one-liners, poetic predictions of a victory over Foster, and the usual insults directed at Joe Frazier. (Paul Harrington/Stars and Stripes)

World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, after his 12th-round win over European champ Karl Mildenberger at Frankfurt's Forest Stadium in September, 1966. (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali celebrates his 12th-round win over European champ Karl Mildenberger at Frankfurt's Forest Stadium in September, 1966. (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali battles European champ Karl Mildenberger at Frankfurt's Forest Stadium in September, 1966. Ali beat Mildenberger in 12 rounds, giving the 24-year-old his 26th win (without a loss) as a professional. (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, during his fight with European champ Karl Mildenberger at Frankfurt's Forest Stadium in September, 1966. Ali beat Mildenberger in 12 rounds, giving the 24-year-old his 26th win (without a loss) as a professional. (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali battles European champ Karl Mildenberger at Frankfurt's Forest Stadium in September, 1966. Ali beat Mildenberger in 12 rounds, giving the 24-year-old his 26th win (without a loss) as a professional. (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali battles European champ Karl Mildenberger at Frankfurt's Forest Stadium in September, 1966. Ali beat Mildenberger in 12 rounds, giving the 24-year-old his 26th win (without a loss) as a professional. (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali listens to his cornerman, Angelo Dundee, during his fight with European champ Karl Mildenberger at Frankfurt's Forest Stadium in September, 1966. Ali beat Mildenberger in 12 rounds, giving the 24-year-old his 26th win (without a loss) as a professional. (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, during his fight with European champ Karl Mildenberger at Frankfurt's Forest Stadium in September, 1966. Ali beat Mildenberger in 12 rounds, giving the 24-year-old his 26th win (without a loss) as a professional. (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali shakes hands with former champ Max Schmeling before battling European champ Karl Mildenberger at Frankfurt's Forest Stadium in September, 1966. Ali beat Mildenberger in 12 rounds, giving the 24-year-old his 26th win (without a loss) as a professional. (Red Grandy/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali meets with reporters at the Frankfurt airport in August, 1966. Ali was preparing for his upcoming fight with European champion Karl Mildenberger. (Bob Milnes/Stars and Stripes)

Mrs. Odessa Lee Grady Clay proudly watches as her son, world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, makes his way through a crowd of admirers at the Frankfurt airport in August, 1966. Mother and son were arriving in Germany for Ali's upcoming fight with European champion Karl Mildenberger. (Bob Milnes/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali and his trainer, Angelo Dundee, look out at the city of Frankfurt, West Germany, in August, 1966. Ali was to defend his heavyweight boxing title against European champion Karl Mildenberger in mid-September. (Gus Schuettler/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali signs autographs during a press conference at the Intercontinental Hotel in Frankfurt, West Germany, in August, 1966. Ali was to defend his heavyweight boxing title against European champion Karl Mildenberger in mid-September. (Gus Schuettler/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali's hands, during a press conference at the Intercontinental Hotel in Frankfurt, West Germany, in August, 1966. Ali was to defend his heavyweight boxing title against European champion Karl Mildenberger in mid-September. (Gus Schuettler/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, during a press conference at the Intercontinental Hotel in Frankfurt, West Germany, in August, 1966. With him is his longtime trainer, Angelo Dundee. Ali was to defend his heavyweight boxing title against European champion Karl Mildenberger in mid-September. (Gus Schuettler/Stars and Stripes)

Muhammad Ali, during a press conference at the Intercontinental Hotel in Frankfurt, West Germany, in August, 1966. Ali was to defend his heavyweight boxing title against European champion Karl Mildenberger in mid-September. (Gus Schuettler/Stars and Stripes)