Muhammad Ali has been honoured in his Kentucky hometown with friends, associates and dignitaries turning out to mark the 40th anniversary of the "Thrilla in Manila."
Former champions and opponents Larry Holmes and George Foreman were among the guests who joined the three-time heavyweight champion four decades after his third fight with Joe Frazier in the Philippines.
The self-proclaimed "Greatest Of All Time" earned his second victory over Frazier after an epic 14-round battle when the former champion failed to come out for the final round in a fight which is wildly considered one of the greatest sporting events of all time.
The 73-year-old sat during the ceremony alongside his wife Lonnie and wore sunglasses as a slide show of iconic photos were shown behind him.
Ali, who is battling Parkinson's disease, did not speak, and no photos were permitted.
Ali's victory and other notable moments were highlighted on a backdrop of two dozen magazine covers at different points of his three-decade career as a fighter and half-century as a humanitarian.
This week's Sports Illustrated cover features Ali as a young fighter. Other notable moments were featured in a video montage in which he described himself as "The Greatest."
One cover included Foreman, who has come to grips with being a footnote in Ali's legacy after his 1974 loss in the "Rumble In The Jungle" in Zaire.
"This means a lot," a trim-looking Foreman said, "because it was boxing and we all enjoyed being part of it. I wish I could have enjoyed it then as much as I enjoy it now."
Ali has been part of many moments in and out of the ring during a career that included winning an Olympic gold medal and speaking out on many social, athletic and humanitarian issues.
Fittingly, he was honoured in the centre bearing his name and just four miles from his childhood home.
Wherever Ali is recognised, Holmes is keen to be part of it.
"I hope we can do this next year and the year after that," said Holmes, a one time sparring partner who beat Ali in 1978.