FRANKFURT, Oct 9: Muhammad Ali took to a boxing ring again on Thursday but this time to launch a photo book reliving the glory days when he floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee.

Given a tumultuous reception at the Frankfurt book fair by crowds chanting “Ali Ali,” he raised his fists for the cameras in a boxing ring specially constructed for his appearance.

He then posed, the picture of taciturn dignity, turning the pages of the photo book that showed him in his prime fighting “The Rumble in the Jungle” and “The Thriller in Manila.”

The first man to win the world heavyweight title three times now proudly sports a moustache. His wife Lonnie said: “It’s not my favourite but he likes it. Muhammad says he now looks like Dark Gable — not Clark Gable but Dark Gable.”

For 3,000 euros ($3,500) , boxing fans can buy one of the 10,000 copies in the limited edition. “Every one has been signed by Muhammad Ali. It took him a year,” Taschen said.

The glossily produced book, with 3,000 photographs chronicling his glorious career, would test the sturdiest coffee table. The mammoth tome tips the scales at 34 kilos (75 pounds).—Reuters