Cassius Clay Workout 6/15/71
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This film shows Muhammad Ali as he spars with two opponents in the Fire Department Gym at Navy Pier on June 15, 1971.
Credits
Frank Koza (filmmaker); Muhammad Ali (participant); Gene Wells (participant); Ben Bentley (participant); Wendell Smith (participant)
Complete catalog record
Cfa collection: Frank Koza Collection
Notes: This film shows Muhammad Ali without any headgear engaged in a sparring match with Gene Wells at the Quonset hut-styled Fire Department Gym at Navy Pier. After this first match, Ali wraps his hands while publicist Ben Bentley approaches to provide a quick message and sportswriter Wendell Smith observes from his nearby seat. Assistant trainer Salameh Hassan inspects the hand wrapping and then Ali momentarily practices solo in the ring. Ali spars with Alonzo Johnson and the film concludes with crowd applause as he and Ali congratulate each other.; In preparation for his upcoming heavyweight fight with Jimmy Ellis in Houston, Ali also sparred on this day against a third partner, Eddie Brooks, who is not shown. Amidst all of this preparation, Ali awaited a pending Supreme Court decision regarding his 1967 conviction for draft evasion.
Subjects: Boxing; Sports
Places: North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago
Language: English
Cfa elements: Print, 200 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/12503
Notes: This film shows Muhammad Ali without any headgear engaged in a sparring match with Gene Wells at the Quonset hut-styled Fire Department Gym at Navy Pier. After this first match, Ali wraps his hands while publicist Ben Bentley approaches to provide a quick message and sportswriter Wendell Smith observes from his nearby seat. Assistant trainer Salameh Hassan inspects the hand wrapping and then Ali momentarily practices solo in the ring. Ali spars with Alonzo Johnson and the film concludes with crowd applause as he and Ali congratulate each other.; In preparation for his upcoming heavyweight fight with Jimmy Ellis in Houston, Ali also sparred on this day against a third partner, Eddie Brooks, who is not shown. Amidst all of this preparation, Ali awaited a pending Supreme Court decision regarding his 1967 conviction for draft evasion.
Subjects: Boxing; Sports
Places: North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago
Language: English
Cfa elements: Print, 200 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/12503
Sources
- Chicago Film Archives · record ↗ — title, year, creator, length, format, color, sound, genre, description, credits, catalog record, video
Record added 2026-11-08 21:25:15