Action man screen hero Liam Neeson recently told HuffPostUK, "You can't act being a boxer. You really can't."
He also confided that, as a young boy growing up in Ireland and dreaming of his first fight in the ring, he would look up at a poster on his wall. It was a picture of Muhammad Ali, then the world boxing champion.
"Your imagination is fired at that age," says Liam. "I have a photograph of Ali that I remember cutting out as a 12-year-old and he was an amateur boxer and I remember thinking, ‘My God, Ali’s 12 and I am 12. I could be the same.’"
When Muhammad Ali announced he would "fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee", all the children in the world thought they could, too
Liam Neeson is by no means the only young man to have his imagination fired and his heart expanded by witnessing the antics in the ring and the iron will outside it of Muhammad Ali, and now the intimate documentary 'I Am Ali' shows why.
The film explores the extraordinary career of Ali inside the ring, from his Olympic gold medal win in Rome (1960) through his glory years as heavyweight champion of the world with historic victories over Sonny Liston, George Foreman, Joe Frazier and even our own 'Enry Cooper, before finally losing his belt to Leon Spinks in 1976.
"Is there anybody in the world who doesn't know who Muhammad Ali is?" Ali - ever the showman
More striking is Ali's story away from the ring - his power of conviction which saw him throw away his Olympic medal when he was refused service in a whites-only restaurant back in Kentucky, lose his boxing licence when he refused to sign up for the Vietnam draft, and change his name from Cassius Clay to Ali as he embraced Islam.
What makes this film really special, however, is the uncovering of intimate recordings made by Ali himself as he talked to his children. Because it turns out that, whatever went on in the ring and on the world stage, Ali was first and foremost a father, trying and failing to tell his daughters off, making them sure of their place in the world and that they knew they were loved. Any celebrity these days who uses their busy schedule as an excuse not to be a complete person at home should do well to listen to these loving, personal, special conversations.
For Ali, despite his worldwide fame and riches, family has always come first
You can't act being a boxer, says Liam Neeson. And you can't fake being great. It's given to only a few, Muhammad Ali among them. As George Foreman says in this inspiring, moving film, "You can't just say he was the greatest boxer. That's an insult. Boxing's just what he did."
'I Am Ali' debuts tonight on Virgin Movies. Virgin Media provides access to up to 260+ channels including Virgin Movies, Freeview Channels, Fox TV, Sky Movies and Netflix.
Muhammad Ali
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Cassius Clay at his hotel in London on 27 May 1963 holding up five fingers predicting how many rounds it will take to KO Henry Cooper. Photo: Len Trievnor/Express/Getty Images
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Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) or simply 'The Greatest' in his heyday. Photo: AFP/Getty Images
Boxing - Heavyweight Bout - Cassius Clay v Henry Cooper(03 of67)
Cassius Clay celebrates his fifth round victory (credit:PA)
Cassius Clay Sparring(04 of67)
Clowning Cassius Clay takes a right from sparring partner Jimmy Ellis of Kentucky during training at the White City drill hall for his world heavyweight title defence against Henry Cooper. (credit:PA)
Boxing - Muhammad Ali - London(05 of67)
A fresh faced Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) walks through a London park the morning after defeating challenger Henry Cooper in the World Title bout at Arsenal's Highbury Stadium. The fight ended with a 6th round stoppage for Muhammad Ali. Two sleepy Londoners (on bench) seems to be anonymous to the presence of the Heavyweight Champion of the World. (credit:PA)
Boxing - World Heavyweight Title - Muhammad Ali v Henry Cooper - Ali Training(06 of67)
World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali warms up in the White City drill hall (credit:PA)
Boxing - Heavyweight Bout - Cassius Clay v Henry Cooper - Clay Training at White City(07 of67)
Boxer Muhammad Ali during a training session at the Territorial Army Centre in White City, London, before his fight with British Heavyweight Champion Henry Cooper. (credit:PA)
Boxing - Muhammad Ali - London(08 of67)
The scene is set for the fight of the century, the ring is ready, the crowds are there, all agog for the start of the world heavyweight championship between Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) and Henry Cooper at the Arsenal Stadium in Highbury. (credit:PA)
Boxing - World Heavyweight Title - Muhammad Ali v Henry Cooper - Highbury(09 of67)
The great fists of American boxer Muhammad Ali (formerly Cassius Clay) are ready to do battle. Here he is seen in sparring attitude for his Heavyweight Championship of the World fight against Britain's Henry Cooper at Highbury Stadium, London. (credit:PA)
Boxing - Heavyweight - Cassius Clay v Henry Cooper(10 of67)
Cassius Clay predicts he will beat World Champion Sonny Liston in eight rounds as he waits for his flight back to the USA after his fifth round victory over Henry Cooper (credit:PA)
Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay(11 of67)
Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, in training pior to defending his world heavyweight championship title against Henry Cooper in London. 17/01/02: Ali celebrates his 60th birthday. (credit:PA)
Boxing - Heavyweight - Cassius Clay v Henry Cooper(12 of67)
Cassius Clay (left) and Henry Cooper after their fight at Wembley London. Clay won after stopping Cooper in the fifth round despite being floored by the British champion in the fourth. (credit:PA)
Boxing - World Heavyweight Title - Muhammad Ali v Henry Cooper - Weigh-in - Odeon, Leicester Square(13 of67)
Great Britain''s challenger Henry Cooper (l) shakes hands with defending World Champion Muhammad Ali (r) at the weigh-in before the fight. A bad cut to Henry Cooper's eye would hand Muhammad Ali a 6th round win at Arsenal's Highbury Stadium. (credit:PA)
Ali Cooper reunion(14 of67)
File photo dated 18/6/1963 of Cassius Clay, now Muhammad Ali, being knocked down by Henry Cooper during their fight at Wembley London. The pair are meeting up again this evening at Windsor this evening. (credit:PA)
Cricket - Tour Match - Marylebone Cricket Club v West Indies - Lord's - Second Day(15 of67)
World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali explains to the West Indies team how he would utilise a cricket bat and boots against his upcoming opponent Henry Cooper (credit:PA)
Stuart Hall allegations(16 of67)
File photo dated 29/04/84 of Muhammad Ali, former world heavyweight boxing champion, (left) and Henry Cooper (right), former world title contender, with DJ Stuart Hall (c) in London on the Stuart Hall's new Radio Two Summer Sounds Sports and Music show. Police investigating an allegation of rape and indecent assault have arrested veteran BBC commentator Stuart Hall. The 82-year-old former It's A Knockout presenter was detained this morning, sources said. (credit:PA)
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Cassius Clay (centre) wins the Olympic light heavyweight boxing Gold medal in Rome on 05 September 1960. Photo: Central Press/Getty Images
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Cassius Clay training during the 1960's. Photo: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
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Cassius Clay in a one round non-title fight with 6yr old Patrick Power on 4 June 1963. Young Patrick was taking boxing lessons at the time to combat bullying. Photo: Keystone/Getty Images
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Cassius Clay fighting British contender Henry Cooper at Wembley on 18 June 1963. Clay predicted a win in 5, but didn't expect Cooper's devastating hammer blow in dying seconds of the 4th. Photo: Central Press/Getty Images
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Cassius Clay reads about his boxing match in the papers during the 1960's. Photo: Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
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American heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay with his brother Rudolph (later Rahman Ali) on 21 June 1963. Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images
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Cassius Clay with his wife on 21 June 1963. Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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British pop group The Beatles, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison with Cassius Clay at his training camp in Miami on 22 February 1964. Photo: Keystone/Getty Images
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A 22yr old Cassius Clay becames heavyweight champion. He beats Charles Sonny Liston by technical KO during the 7th round. Photo: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone/Getty Images
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Cassius Clay fighting World Heavyweight Champion Sonny Liston in Miami Beach, Florida on 28 February 1964. After this bout, Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali. Photo: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone/Getty Images
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Sonny Liston lies out for the count after being KO'd in the 1st round of his return title fight by world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in Lewiston, Maine on 25 May 1965. Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali enjoys supper in a restaurant on 6 August 1965. Photo: Terry Fincher/Express/Getty Images
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Muhammad Ali KO's Floyd Patterson in the 6th round on 25 November 1965. The fight was stopped in the 12th. Photo: Allsport/Hulton Archive
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Muhammad Ali and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan during Saviour's Day celebrations in Chicago, Illinois 27 February 1966. Photo: Robert Abbott Sengstacke/Getty Images
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Muhammad Ali creates a media fenzy on 9 May 1966 during his stay in London for a rematch Henry Cooper. Ali won in 6 rounds this time. Photo: B. Potter/Express/Getty Images)
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Muhammad Ali lands a right to the head of Brian London during their World Heavyweight title fight at Earls Court on 6 August 1966. Ali won by a knockout in the 3rd round. Photo: Allsport Hulton/Archive
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Former Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown (centre right) presides over a meeting of top African-American athletes on 4 June 1967 showing support for boxer Muhammad Ali's (centre left) refusal to fight in Vietnam. Photo: Tony Tomsic/Getty Images
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Boxing trainer Angelo Dundee helps Muhammad Ali with his bindings during a training session at Chris Dundee's 5th Street gym, Miami Beach on 26 February 1971. Photo: Chris Smith/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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Muhammad Ali takes heavy hit from the gloves of Smokin' Joe Frazier on 8 March 1971 and eventually lost the gruelling bout on points. Photo: PA
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Muhammad Ali avenges a boken jaw and shock loss to Ken Norton in 1973, but admitted it was "a humbling experience". Photo: PA
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Muhammad Ali takes a break in training to spend time with his son Muhammad Ali Jnr (aged 2 & half years) on 15 April 1975 in Miami. Ali has another son by adoption named Asaad. Photo: PA
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Muhammad Ali raises his arms in victory, as referee Zack Clayton counts out George Foreman in the 8th round epic 'Rumble in the Jungle' on 30 October 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire infront of 60,000 spectators. Photo: AP
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25,000 fans cram in to witness 14 brutal rounds dubbed 'Thrilla in Manilla' featuring a victorious Muhammad Ali over Smokin' Joe Frazier at the Philipine Coliseum on 1 October 1975 in their 3rd encounter. Photo: PA
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Muhammad Ali takes sweet revenge on Leon Spinks 15 September 1978 at the Superdome in New Orleans, in a rematch following a split decision loss against him 6 months earlier in Las Vegas. Photo: Dirk Halstead/Liaison
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Muhammad Ali reads a comic book at press event on 31 January 1978 in New York with promoter Don King and Herbert Muhammad (centre), where he beats Superman in a fictional fight. Photo: Marty Lederhandler/AP
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Muhammad Ali is pictured with daughters Laila (9 months) and Hanna (2 years 5 months) on 19 December 1978 at Grosvenor House, following his retirement announcement in June. Ali has 5 other daughters named Rasheeda, Jamilla, Maryum, Miya and Khalilah. Photo: Frank Tewkesbury/Evening Standard/Getty Images
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Muhammad Ali clowns around with Dorothy Meyer (left) who played the role of his mother in his 'life story' movie and his real mother Odessa Clay (right) on 01 October 1980, just days before his title fight against Larry Holmes. Photo: Lennox McLendon/AP
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Muhammad Ali comes out of retirement on 2 October 1980 to fight new heavyweight champion Larry Holmes only be be devastatingly punished in the 9th & 10 rounds and KO'd in the 11th. Chris Smith/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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Trevor Berbick throws a punch at Muhammad Ali on 11 December 1981 at Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, Nassau, Bahamas. It was Ali's final professional fight. Photo: Focus on Sport/Getty Images
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Muhammad Ali carries the Olympic torch for a kilometer in Louisville on 27 May 1984. In the same year he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Photo: T. Palmer/AP
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Muhammad Ali watches as the flame rises to the Olympic torch during the opening ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games on 19 July 1996 in Atlanta. Photo: Doug Mills/AP
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Boxing legends past and present Lennox Lewis, Harry Carpenter and Muhammad Ali at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards on 11 December 1999. Photo: Craig Prentis/Allsport
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Muhammad Ali accepts the BET Humanitarian Award ON 25 June 2002 from Will Smith, who portrayed him the hit 'Ali' movie. Photo: M. Caulfield/WireImage
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Laila Ali, daughter of boxing great Muhammad Ali following her win against Erin Toughill on 11 June 2005. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
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President Bush awards boxing great Muhammad Ali, the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award in the East Room of the White House on 9 November 2005. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian award, and recognises exceptional meritorious service. (Photo: Lawrence Jackson/AP)
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Boxing great Muhammad Ali with his wife Lonnie, waves to friends attending his 70th birthday celebration at the Muhammad Ali Centre in Louisville on 14 January 2012. Photo: Mark Humphrey/AP
Allstate Sugar Bowl - Louisville v Florida(53 of67)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: NFL analyst and former Cardinal Tom Jackson and Boxing legend Muhammad Ali represent the Louisville Cardinals for the coin toss prior to their game against the Florida Gators in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 2, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Bill Haber-Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Allstate Sugar Bowl - Louisville v Florida(54 of67)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali and his wife Lonnie Ali ride a golf cart onto the field to represent the Louisville Cardinals for the coin toss against the Florida Gators prior to the start of the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 2, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Former boxing champion Muhammad Ali (L) (55 of67)
Former boxing champion Muhammad Ali (L) attends the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in London. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
Former boxing champion Mohamed Ali (seat(56 of67)
Former boxing champion Mohamed Ali (seated) attends the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in London. AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
U.S. Olympic Committee Benefit Gala(57 of67)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Former US Olympic boxer Muhammad Ali attends the U.S. Olympic Committee Benefit Gala at USA House at the Royal College of Art on July 26, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sports For Peace - Fundraising Ball - Inside(58 of67)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 25: Muhammad Ali attends the Sports For Peace Fundraising Ball at The V&A on July 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
U.S. Olympic Committee Benefit Gala(59 of67)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Former US Olympic boxer Muhammad Ali and sister-in-law Marilyn Williams (L) attend the U.S. Olympic Committee Benefit Gala at USA House at the Royal College of Art on July 26, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali listens to ac(60 of67)
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali listens to actress Miley Cyrus on stage at the Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night XVIII on March 24, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The event supports the fight against Parkinson's disease and this year also celebrates Ali's 70th birthday. AFP PHOTO / Robyn BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Recording artist Kris Kristofferson (L)(61 of67)
Recording artist Kris Kristofferson (L) greets boxing legend Muhammad Ali on stage at the Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night XVIII on March 24, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The event supports the fight against Parkinson's disease and this year also celebrates Ali's 70th birthday. AFP PHOTO / Robyn BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Tournament - Louisville v Michigan State(62 of67)
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 22: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali (R) and wife Lonnie Ali (L) sit in their seats at US Airways Center to watch the Louisville Cardinals take on the Michigan State Spartans during the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball West Regional Semifinal game at US Airways Center on March 22, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Tournament - Louisville v Michigan State(63 of67)
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 22: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali (C) and wife Lonnie Ali (R) and guest (R) walk into US Airways Center to watch the Louisville Cardinals take on the Michigan State Spartans during the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball West Regional Semifinal game at US Airways Center on March 22, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Keep Memory Alive's 16th Annual "Power Of Love Gala" Celebrates Muhammad Ali's 70th Birthday - Inside(64 of67)
LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 18: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) (L-R) Lonnie Ali, boxing legend Muhammad Ali and recording artist Sean 'Diddy' Combs appear onstage during the Keep Memory Alive foundation's 'Power of Love Gala' celebrating Muhammad Ali's 70th birthday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena February 18, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event benefits the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Muhammad Ali Center. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Keep Memory Alive) (credit:Getty Images)
Keep Memory Alive's 16th Annual "Power Of Love Gala" Celebrates Muhammad Ali's 70th Birthday - Inside(65 of67)
LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 18: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) (L-R) Lonnie Ali, boxing legend Muhammad Ali and recording artist Sean 'Diddy' Combs appear onstage during the Keep Memory Alive foundation's 'Power of Love Gala' celebrating Muhammad Ali's 70th birthday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena February 18, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event benefits the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Muhammad Ali Center. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Keep Memory Alive) (credit:Getty Images)
Keep Memory Alive's 16th Annual "Power Of Love Gala" Celebrates Muhammad Ali's 70th Birthday - Inside(66 of67)
LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 18: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Boxing legend Muhammad Ali (L) and wife Lonnie Ali appear onstage during the Keep Memory Alive foundation's 'Power of Love Gala' celebrating Muhammad Ali's 70th birthday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena February 18, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event benefits the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Muhammad Ali Center. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Keep Memory Alive) (credit:Getty Images)
Norman Mailer Center 4th Annual Benefit Gala - Arrivals(67 of67)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 04: Muhammad Ali attends the Norman Mailer Center 4th Annual Benefit Gala on October 4, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Norman Mailer Center) (credit:Getty Images)