The United States Postal Service has announced the release of a commemorative stamp honoring the late boxer and cultural icon, Muhammad Ali. This marks the first time Ali has been featured on a US postage stamp, with 22 million stamps printed, each bearing a 1974 Associated Press photo of Ali in his signature boxing pose.
The champion’s widow, Lonnie Ali, expressed her excitement and thrill at the news, stating that the stamp will keep her husband’s memory alive and in the forefront of people’s consciousness. Each sheet of 20 stamps also features a photo of Ali in a pinstripe suit, recognizing his work as an activist and humanitarian.
The stamps are expected to generate significant interest from collectors and non-collectors alike, with US Postal Service officials confirming that they will not be reprinted once they sell out. According to Lonnie Ali, her husband would have been pleased with the recognition, often joking that the only way he could be “licked” was if he was featured on a postage stamp.
Muhammad Ali passed away in 2016 at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy that extends far beyond his three heavyweight champion titles. He was also recognized for his activism and humanitarian work, earning numerous awards, including the United Nations Messenger of Peace award in 1998 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.
For Lonnie Ali, the stamp serves as a testament to her husband’s enduring legacy and values, which centered around spreading compassion and kindness. A first-day-of-issue ceremony for the Muhammad Ali Forever Stamp is scheduled to take place in Louisville, Kentucky, the boxer’s birthplace and home to the Muhammad Ali Center, which showcases his life and achievements.
The release of the commemorative stamp is seen as a fitting tribute to Ali’s remarkable life and career, and is expected to inspire others to follow in his footsteps. As Lonnie Ali noted, the stamp will be a lasting part of her husband’s legacy, serving as a reminder of his commitment to making a positive impact on the world. The ceremony will be a celebration of Ali’s life and achievements, and will likely attract fans and admirers from around the world.
