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.
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Ali, weary from 32 years battling Parkinson’s disease, was unrecognisable from his heyday.
The Brit who snapped him said: “I felt his aura.”
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Ali poses with his fists raised one last time in a haunting final photoshoot.
Our 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.
Last night the Brit photographer who was invited into his home told how the three-time heavyweight boxing champ had lost none of his fighting spirit.
Ali, 74, was so frail he had to be helped into a chair in Phoenix, Arizona.
But thrilled Coventry snapper Zenon Texeira said: “I knew I was in the presence of greatness.”
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His historic pictures showing a fragile but defiant Ali just weeks before his death on Saturday have never been published before.
Zenon 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.”
The Brit admitted he was racked with nerves while “photographing the most photographed icon of all time”.
But he said: “It is the proudest moment for me.
“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.
ACTOR Michael J. Fox revealed how the boxer called him in 1992 after the star was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Fox, 54, said fellow sufferer Ali told him: “I’m glad you’re in this fight with me.” Will Smith, 47, who played Ali in a biopic in 2001, posted a snap of playful Ali putting two “bunny ear” fingers behind his head. In the UK, ex-world champ Nigel Benn, 52, said of Ali: “He won his fights before he even stepped in the ring. “What a man.” Former cop Pat Egan, 78, revealed Ali let him put handcuffs on him for a laugh in Birmingham in 1979. Pat said: “It is not every day one gets to arrest the greatest boxer of all time!”
“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.”
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Zenon told how in his eyes the boxer looked “as pretty as ever”.
He said: “The Champ was feeling well and rested, dressed in a dark shirt as I requested.
“This has me punching the air and gets the adrenaline going.
“I don’t envisage having much time and set up a makeshift studio.
“Twenty minutes later our hero arrives.
“His skin glistens and he is meticulously groomed with cool dark sunglasses hiding his eyes.
“He is helped into an armchair and it’s clear to see how fragile this man has become.
“However, I am told that even though he may not respond he understands every word.
“I do what I have to do and 45 minutes later wrap the shoot, over the moon with what I have captured.
“I hold his hand, thank him, tell him that I’ll pray for him and kiss his forehead as I say goodbye.”
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Ali died at the weekend hours after he was rushed to hospital from his home.
He had been found barely breathing.
Family sources said the superstar had been “extremely unwell” for weeks.
The cause of death was septic shock.
Daughter Hana Ali said: “All of his organs failed but his heart wouldn’t stop beating.
“For 30 minutes his heart just kept beating.”
She said: “Our hearts are literally hurting but we are so happy daddy is free now.”
The only other pictures taken of Ali just before his death are believed to be when he was snapped next to US singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood at a charity Celebrity Fight Night.
It was held at a hotel near his home with cash raised going to his Parkinson’s charity.
Ali, who was born Cassius Clay but changed his name when he converted to Islam, had insisted dying held
no fears for him.
A friend said: “Muhammad had continued to say he was not afraid of death.”
A public funeral is being held on Friday in his home town Louisville, Kentucky.
Day I hit jaw of a legend
A PUB landlord has recalled the day he landed a left hook on Muhammad Ali’s jaw.
Les Close, now 58, took a surprise swing at the champ when he visited in 1977.
The 9st, 5ft 6in lad had been given his turn for a five-minute sparring session at a Newcastle boxing club.
He said: “Muhammad gripped my right hand in greeting and asked me if I’d got fire in my belly.
“I couldn’t resist so took a jab with my left.
“He looked surprised but smiled and took it in good part.
“Then Ali went into his famous shuffle.
“I was mesmerised.”
Les, who has snaps of Ali hanging at his Oldham pub, added: “I cried when I heard he had died.”
