Muhammad Ali’s Legacy Immortalized on a US Postage Stamp

Muhammad Ali’s long-ago quip that he should be on a postage stamp because “that’s the only way I’ll ever get licked” is becoming a reality as the U.S. Postal Service issues its first-ever stamp honoring the legendary boxer.

The “Forever Stamp,” featuring a classic 1974 black-and-white image of Ali in his famous boxing pose, is celebrated by his widow, Lonnie Ali, as a way to keep his legacy of athletic brilliance, social conviction, and personal connection at the forefront of public consciousness.

A first-day-of-issue ceremony is scheduled for January 15 in Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, with 22 million stamps printed—a limited run that will not be reprinted once sold out, appealing to collectors and fans who revere “The Greatest” for his achievements both inside and outside the ring, including his Olympic gold medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom.