A major retrospective exhibition celebrating the 71 years of Muhammad Ali’s life is set to deliver a knockout blow in Bradford.

In the Rings with Ali, which features a unique collection of iconic images of ‘The Greatest’ from the world’s greatest photographers and artists, runs at the Midland Hotel from Thursday, June 20, until June 30.

It offers a rare opportunity to buy some of the most famous photographs of the former world heavyweight boxing champion by some of the world’s most acclaimed artists. Profits will go to Bradford-based charity, QED-UK.

The charity and Yorkshire’s Cause UK, an agency for charities and arts, are behind bringing the London exhibition north.

Boxers and coaches from the Bradford Police and College Boxing Academy will attend the opening with their boxing ring, as well as Ali’s old adversary, Richard Dunn.

Mr Dunn, who has a sports centre named after him in Bradford, fought Ali for the world heavyweight title in 1976, losing in the fifth round.

He said: “I was just honoured to be invited by Cause UK to attend the northern premiere of this remarkable exhibition. Muhammad Ali is one of the last living icons of our time. I’m proud to support this event that extols all the wonderful values and philosophies of the great man.

“I really hope young people come and see the exhibition and get the passion and direction that he so naturally inspires. It isn’t just about boxing and sport, but about being the best you can be in life, finding your passion and making it happen.”

Adeeba Malik, of QED-UK, said: “It’s fitting that this inspiring exhibition makes its grand northern premiere in Bradford, the ‘City of Dreams’. At QED, we wanted to be part of it because it’s such a distinguished artistic celebration but also to promote the wonderful values of Muhammad Ali.”

Clair Challenor-Chadwick, of Cause UK, said: “Bradford was the perfect choice. It’s a fantastically rich and cultured city as a Unesco city of film, but it also seemed the right place for a celebration of the world’s most famous boxer, and Muslim, who has done so much good addressing prejudice of all kinds. Bradford has shaken off its negative press of the past, and this is a fantastic way to build on the buzz around the city.”