Manchester Centre for Public History and Heritage Podcast

S2 Episode 2 – Muhammad Meets Manchester: Muhammad Ali in Manchester, 1992 with Paul Bhatti


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Nov 25 2022 38 mins  
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Muhammad Ali made several visits to Manchester from the 1960s all the way to 2009 when he came to Ricky Hatton’s gym. In what I hope will be the first of several episodes on Muhammad Ali’s visits, I speak to Paul Bhatti. Listen to Paul’s story below, and check out the wonderful videos and pictures that he has captured, on this page. You can also listen on spotify here.





Paul met Muhammad in 1992 at the Sherratt and Hughes bookstore in Manchester. He captured this amazing and unique video footage from the bookshop.








Letter from Muhammad to Aziz, Paul’s father. Aziz had asked The Champ for a signed photograph. Ali v Cooper II took place on 21 May, 1966, the day after the letter date. Picture taken by Paul Bhatti.


Muhammad performing a trick in St Anne’s Sqaure. From Muhammad Ali: A Thirty Year Journey, by Ali’s long time photographer and friend, Howard Bingham.



The Champ and Paul play boxing in Sherratt and Hughes. Picture captured by Paul Bhatti from Paul’s video footage.


Having moved to Michigan in the U.S. Paul’s connections to Muhammad came full circle when he was able to say farewell to the Champ at his funeral in Louisville, Kentucky. This time on his phone, rather than the chunky video recorder from 1992, Paul captured some great footage.








Paul and Johnny Nelson outside of Muhammad’s family home in Louisville. Picture by Paul Bhatti.


Paul and Lennox Lewis. Lennox was about to go to a pall bearer rehearsal. Picture by Paul Bhatti.



Hope you enjoy the episode, and this collection of footage, pictures and memories. Rest easy up there Champ.

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