Former Bradford boxer Richard Dunn spoke of stepping into the ring with legend Muhammad Ali as an exhibition of photographs of ‘The Greatest’ opened in the city last night.

The 68-year-old, who fought Ali for the world heavyweight title in 1976, losing in the fifth round, told how he “loved every minute” of his famous clash with the sporting star at a major retrospective celebrating the 71 years of the life of his old adversary.

“I have great memories,” the great-grandfather of seven said.

“He knocked me down five times and I got up five times – I would have carried on if I’d been allowed to.

“I was there to win. I didn’t win but I loved every minute of it and I would definitely do it all over again.

“The was The Greatest.”

Mr Dunn, the only Yorkshireman to face Ali, was the guest of honour as ‘In the Rings with Ali’ opened at The Midland Hotel yesterday.

The exhibition, which is open to the public until Sunday, June 30, offers a rare opportunity to buy some of the most famous photographs of Ali by some of the world’s most acclaimed artists and is raising money for Bradford charity QED.

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

“The pictures of Ali are superb,” said Mr Dunn, who was honoured in Bradford by having a sports centre named after him.

“I have some at home, my own private collection – but he’s hitting me in all of them!

“It’s just fantastic to be here and these pictures bring back memories.

“At his peak – when he was on top of it, ducking and diving, giving you some ear ache – he was fantastic.”

The photographer behind the exhibition, Christina Jansen, spent two weeks with Ali – who now suffers from Parkinson’s Disease – after being asked to take some stills for a commercial in the 1980s.

“On my first day I was very nervous about meeting The Greatest, but he put me at ease.

“We had so many conversations and told me about his philosophies of life, which inspired me to do this show.”