We’re not used to seeing heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali backed into a corner, but when "The Greatest" visited a supermarket in Manchester, that’s exactly what happened.
In October 1971, the American boxer toured all over the UK to promote the milk flavouring powder Ovaltine. Locations included Hertfordshire, Birmingham, Norwich and right here in Manchester.
During the trip, Ali headed to the Tesco store at Stretford Mall - then known as Stretford Arndale Shopping Centre. The plan was for him to sign tins of Ovaltine purchased by customers.
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The event took place seven months after the "Fight of the Century" between Ali and Joe Frazier which led to Ali’s first professional defeat. During an interview with Granada Reports at the Stretford Mall event, Ali told Bob Greaves: "I'm not here just because I got to have the money. I’m getting out to meet the people of this city, I never would have been here if it wasn’t for Ovaltine."
It’s safe to say the boxer’s appearance at the Tesco store proved way more popular than anyone - including Ali - thought it would be. The American boxer’s fans turned up in droves, all wanting to meet the man himself and get their hands on his autograph.
An estimated 1,000 people rocked up to the Tesco store, forcing Ali to be cornered between two mountains of Ovaltine unable to move. It was reported the frenzy went on for an hour, with some people getting injured and a doorway shattered.
Eventually the police were called and had no choice but to cut the event short after seeing the chaos. They shut it down and helped Ali battle his way out of the store and into his car, with fans still surrounding the boxer until he was safely inside the vehicle.
It was reported at the time that some people thought Ali was giving away tins of Ovaltine, not just signing them. This meant that, as well as passionate fans wanting to meet Ali, there were people who were desperate to get their hands on a free tin.
What are your memories of Muhammad Ali's visit to Stretford Mall? Let us know in the comments section below.
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