Muhammad Ali raises his fists one last time in final ever photos

Despite his deteriorating health, legendary boxer's fighting spirit is still evident in front of the camera

As the world mourns the loss of Muhammad Ali, photos have emerged of the boxing great just weeks before his death.

Although almost unrecognisable from the days he reigned on the ring, the legendary boxer who was battling Parkinson’s for 32 years can be seen raising his fists for the last time as he stares defiantly into the camera.



Despite his deteriorating health and frailty, Muhammad Ali’s famous sense of humour and fighting spirit is still evident in front of the camera.

PHOTO: Zenon Texeira

Unrelenting, Ali’s presence was such that British photographer Zenon Texeira who shot the last official portraits of Ali said, “I felt his aura.”

Speaking about his encounter with the boxing legend, Texeira said Ali, 74, was so frail he had to be helped into a chair in Phoenix, Arizona. However, the three-time heavyweight boxing champ had lost none of his fighting spirit.



“I knew I was in the presence of greatness,” Texeira added.

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.

PHOTO: Zenon Texeira

Ali, a 20th Century icon whose fame transcended sport during a remarkable career that spanned three decades, died Friday.

The 74-year-old sports hero, who had been battling Parkinson’s disease for decades, passed away in a hospital here where he had been admitted earlier this week suffering from respiratory problems.

This article originally appeared on The Sun.