MUHAMMAD ALI SELLS RIGHTS TO HIS NAME

Muhammad Ali sells rights to name

The IPKat reads on the BBC webbie that Mohammad Ali, who first as Cassius Clay and then in his adopted name dominated the heavyweight boxing scene in the 1960s and 1970s, has sold the marketing rights to his name to entertainment and licensing company CKX. The deal, which also covers Ali's image and certain trade marks, has a reputed cash value of $50m (£28.6m).

Left: the IPKat, a natural southpaw, practises his ringside technique

CKX, who also control the rights to Elvis Presley's music and Graceland home, have established a new enterprise, Greatest Of All Time, as a vehicle for exploiting the Ali name: the Ali family keeps a 20% stake, CKX getting the rest. The Ali family will also be doing their bit to promote the great man's name.

Wikipedia on Muhammad Ali here
Great moments of British boxing: Henry Cooper knocks down Muhammad Ali here