The Champ: My Year With Muhammad Ali
Live Interview with Photographer Michael Gaffney who was Muhammad Ali's personal photographer discusses currexhibition at Richard Beavers Gallery |
Michael Gaffney was a personal photographer to Muhammad Ali and captured rare and beautiful images presented in this photographic tribute exhibition to “the Greatest.” THE CHAMP exhibition is based on Michael Gaffney’s coverage during 1977-1978 and culled from over 8,000 images that reveal the poignant and honest moments that define the legendary Ali.
The story inside The Champ documents a tough win against Earnie Shavers, a shocking loss to Leon Spinks, and a glorious redemptive comeback victory to win the World Heavyweight Championship for an unprecedented third time. Gaffney's unique access shares a compelling personal journey inside the good heart and courageous spirit of one of the most extraordinary people of our lifetime…Muhammad Ali.
MICHAEL GAFFNEY is an award-winning photojournalist who began his career as a New Jersey news photographer in 1972. Gaffney ran a corporate photography business for 25 years in New Jersey, and was a contract photographer with Muhammad Ali Enterprises in Manhattan. His first exhibition of The Champ was held at the Morris Museum, Morristown, NJ. The exhibition was a benefit for the Morristown Neighborhood House where Gaffney learned to box as a young boy. The exhibition was well received, earning a feature on ESPN with Hall of Fame Boxing Historian, Bert Randolph Sugar. It was followed by exhibitions in New Jersey, San Francisco, The Proud Gallery Chelsea London, The London Olympics, the “Ali in the Rings” exhibition in Bradford UK, the “I AM THE GREATEST” exhibition at the London 02, The Proud Gallery Camden London, The Port Authority of NY/NJ, and The Harlem Fine Arts Show. Michael Gaffney’s photographs of Muhammad Ali have been featured on Dateline with Lester Holt, BBC productions, the film, “I AM ALI,” and videos by the Parkinson’s Foundation and 23andMe. Ali images have been published worldwide in newspapers, magazines and internet stories. Michael Gaffney is proud to be presenting the Muhammad Ali Collection, one of the most extraordinary people of our lifetime, with the Richard Beavers Gallery.
