Santi Visalli's acclaimed photojournalism has appeared in the New York Times, Newsweek, TIME and LIFE. Over more than forty years, the Italian-born, 80-year-old master has captured archetypal portraits of the Beatles, Martin Luther King Jr., Salvador Dali, Sofia Loren, Andy Warhol, Federico Fellini, Robert DeNiro and six sitting U.S. Presidents—Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan. In a 2011 issue of San Luis Obispo's New Times newspaper, Visalli said, "The most asked question is, 'How did you get to all those people?' Well, my ego wants to say 'Because I'm the best.' The real reason is that the people were accessible in those days."
On August 25, 1975, Visalli gained access to Muhammad Ali's rural training retreat prior to "The Thrilla in Manilla." Ali wraps tape ringside in the stark full-length portrait, which is captioned and signed in pencil by Visalli. Condition of the photo's 9" x 19" visible dimensions (within a dignified 20" x 30" frame) is exquisite NM/MT. Seen first-hand, this is a stunning and monumental homage to the powerful influence of The Greatest—with the ideal accoutrement of Visalli's imprimatur.