RARELY does a politician, sportsman, entertainer or human being receive such an outpouring of genuine sadness when they die, yet Muhammad Ali was indeed a golden breed.

As everyone from world leaders to cultural preachers have their say on the fights, the traumas and the trials of our generation’s most enduring character, The Gazette takes a look at when ‘The Greatest’ unexpectedly visited a pub in Heckfield, sparring and talking with a group of youngsters on the streets.

It is August 12, 1977. House prices sit at £28,000 and The Gazette a meagre 8p. Adorning the week’s Friday edition of the paper, the heavyweight champion of the world, Muhammad Ali.

Following the premiere of his film The Greatest at London’s Leicester Square, Muhammad Ali and the film’s director and his close friend John Marshall decided to pop into the New Inn in Heckfield – close to where Mr Marshall was currently living.

Passersby were left stunned at the appearance of the current world champion – including the pub’s landlord Basil Francis.
One teenager who managed to meet the man himself was the now 54-year-old David Boshier.

The owner of Comfort Building Services, who was 15 at the time, remembers that chance encounter “fondly and vividly”.

“He was quite a joker,” David, whose father Ron exclusively took the pictures for The Gazette, said: “When we came into the pub to see if Muhammad Ali was really in there, he was sat around the corner hiding. He came out and said to us “yes, it is me – in full colour.”

“It’s something that I fondly remember – shadow boxing with him whilst my dad took pictures.

“It was one of those rare opportunities that you will remember for the rest of your life - not many people can say they sparred with Muhammad Ali.”

Within each of Ron’s images Muhammad Ali’s gentler side is clear.

From the delicate holding of 18-month-old Anja Schultheis to the double-sparring session with youngsters Lawrence Spong and Michael Mullins, the warmth that all who knew The Greatest speak so dearly about was visibly clear when he popped in the New Inn.

Do recognise anyone in the pictures above? Email clive.hammond@basingstokegazette.co.uk if you do.