They Must Fall: Muhammad Ali and the Men He Fought

They Must Fall: Muhammad Ali and the Men He Fought is a book by award-winning photographer Michael Brennan that features powerful and often moving images and stories of Muhammad Ali and the men he fought in the ring. It includes a special introductory essay by the late, great Jimmy Breslin and is a look through Brennans remarkable archive, containing numerous never-before-seen photos and poignant stories illuminating Alis powerful role in the world of sport.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 16 October 2020
Publisher: ACC Art Books

“They Must Fall: Muhammad Ali and the Men He Fought” is a captivating documentary film that delves into the life and career of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, featuring powerful and often moving images and stories of the men he fought in the ring. Award-winning photographer Michael Brennan has captured the essence of Ali and his opponents in this remarkable film.

In 1978, Brennan was in Houston, Texas, photographing former Ali opponent George Foreman, who had reinvented himself as a roadside preacher. On his flight back to New York City, Brennan wondered what the rest of Ali's opponents were doing. He set out to track down as many of the old guys as he could find.

Brennan spent decades locating Alis former opponents to discover what had become of them. His unique book, "They Must Fall: Muhammad Ali and the Men He Fought," is a look through Brennans remarkable archive, containing numerous never-before-seen photos and poignant stories that illuminate the images and contextualize Ali's powerful role in the world of sport.

The book includes a special introductory essay by the late, great Jimmy Breslin, who wrote, "Michael Brennans iconic 1977 portrait photograph of Muhammad Ali captures something far bigger and deeper than just the beautiful face of a beautiful man. It is a detailed map of the personal journey of one whose incomparable talents and audacity caused literati to swoon, taught a generation to question authority, and ultimately altered the path of a society which had never before seen a man exactly like him. To look at him the way he was then is to remember, with joy and sorrow, who we all once were."

Boxing commentator Jim Lampley also discussed the cover image of the film, stating, "Michael Brennans iconic 1977 portrait photograph of Muhammad Ali captures something far bigger and deeper than just the beautiful face of a beautiful man. It is a detailed map of the personal journey of one whose incomparable talents and audacity caused literati to swoon, taught a generation to question authority, and ultimately altered the path of a society which had never before seen a man exactly like him. To look at him the way he was then is to remember, with joy and sorrow, who we all once were."

"They Must Fall: Muhammad Ali and the Men He Fought" is a must-watch for anyone who loves boxing, sports, or history. It is a tribute to the legacy of Muhammad Ali and the men he fought, and it provides a glimpse into the world of sports that has never been seen before.

Weight: 1472g
Dimension: 259 x 257 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788840187