The painting of Muhammad Ali is a special family heirloom. Clint Frazier’s mother painted this one-of-a-kind portrait depicting Ali in a boxing match around the 1970s. Clint has always been interested in the boxing world where he would watch it with his father every now and then. Clint’s mother, Nancy, would surprise him in going to a boxing convention from his growing interest in boxing. They drove to Louisville to the convention; her son brought the painting and “The Greatest” himself signed her painting. Ali and his mother got the chance to talk to the all-time great for a brief moment showing that he was a genuine and caring person. Clint and his mother often went to boxing conventions where they met countless boxing legends and well-known African American athletes. The painting remains a cherished family treasure to be passed down for generations.

Listen to Clint’s story in his own words:

This item is part of the “Legacy” section of the Artifacts of Experience exhibition designed by University of Cincinnati students in the “Introduction to Public History” course in 2023.
We encourage you to explore the other objects in our collection.

Transcript

Nick Frazier [NF]: Hello. So this is my father Clint Frazier. He’s one of my interviewees. And would you like to show your object?

Clint Frazier [CF]: Yeah. Hi, everybody. Thanks for having me on here. And thanks, Nick. It’s an honor to be able to speak with you today about this very special object that I have in my possession.

[NF]: I mean, non possession fellow. So photo, that’s basically just like a normal Dali painting that was signed by him that was made by his own grandmother. So why did you choose this item?

[CF]: You know, you asked me to pick something that meant a lot to me. And, you know, I’ve been involved in football my whole life, but I thought I’d pick something different. And it had to do with my mother. And when I was nine years old, she took me with her across the river to Louisville, and I got to meet Muhammad Ali with her. And she was honored to be able to present a painting to Muhammad Ali and his family and all the boxing community in Louisville, at this, this gala. And that’s why I picked it, it was something that meant a lot to me that my mother painted it for one. And then also the she had the opportunity to present it to Muhammad Ali, who’s a famous icon in American history. And actually the world too. So.

[NF]: What period of your life did you obtain this? Year? I said it? No, actually, that.

[CF]: I obtained it recently. It was, which is ironic that we’re talking here about three months ago, Bibi your grandmother was was packing up some things in her basement. And she had it stored back there. And they called me and said, Clint, would you like this painting? So that she actually gave it to me? At habitat? House? Yeah, that’s my home. It’s very cool, actually. And so it just happened recently. But we’ve had it since 1980. So yeah, I didn’t know that. Yeah, that’s really cool item. So.

[NF]: That’s cool. Um, what is your favorite story to tell about this object? You know,

[CF]: Number one, I, I went to this gala, when I say Gala, it was it was a big deal. There were a lot of people all around a lot of African American people, and a lot of just multicultural people at the event. And they were honoring Muhammad Ali. And probably the most vivid memory I have, although I have a photo that I will show you in a minute that Muhammad Ali is hugging my mom, your grandmother. And I’m right in front and all you can see is my head, the top of my head. But the thing that I remember most about that night is I was just a little guy, nine years old. But I could hear him saying hum like a butterfly sting like a bee. And he made this whole, like, poetic speech in front of like he’s famous for doing. And I was right there. And I could hear him talking. I didn’t really understand completely how big of a deal he was. But he really was and that was that was kind of what meant a lot to me.

[NF]: So, then what does this object mean to you?

[CF]: You know what it’s a blend of, of American and global history from what he represented, and it also represents your grandmother in your family because your mom was your your grandmother, my mom was a very talented artists. And that was just one of the things she painted. But she’s painted so many other things in her past and she’s created so many valuable art pieces. That it just meant a lot to me. because it was her and of course Muhammad Ali so

[NF]: Alright that’s basically all thank you!

[CF]: Oh no problems anytime buddy yep thanks I’m really honored that you would ask me.