The Champ

The legendary boxer's personal photographer from 1977–1978 shares fascinating stories and stunning rare photographs.   Michael Gaffney traveled the world with Muhammad Ali, covered three fights, took eight thousand photographs, and produced hours of recordings that, pieced together in this book, define and reveal an authentic Ali. Poignant, funny, and brutally honest, this book reveals the struggles of the legendary fighter who fought to stay in the game he loved.   This is a dramatic and up-close look at the trilogy of Ali's fights from 1977–1978: 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, a feat never accomplished before or since. Filled with dramatic photos, The Champ is also a compelling personal journey inside the good heart and courageous spirit of one of the most extraordinary people of our lifetime.   "The Champ is one helluva achievement and one helluva book." —Bert Randolph Sugar, Hall of Fame boxing historian