Boxing

The U.S. Postal Service will issue a “Forever Stamp” to Muhammad Ali

Published

10 months ago

January 12, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Muhammad Ali once joked that he should be a postage stamp because “that’s the only way I’ll get licked.”

Now the three-time heavyweight champion’s joke is becoming a reality.

Widely considered the most famed and influential boxer of all time and a cultural force who combined athletic brilliance with political conviction and showmanship, Ali was honored for the first time with a commemorative U.S. postage stamp.

“As the guardian of his legacy, I am delighted. Excited. I am delighted,” Lonnie Ali, the champion’s wife of almost 30 years, told The Associated Press. “Because every time people look at this badge, they will remember it. And it will be at the center of their consciousness. For me, that’s a thrill.”

The ring-fighting and compassionate Muhammad Ali died in 2016 at the age of 74 after living with Parkinson’s disease for over thirty years. During his life and posthumously, the man known as The Greatest received numerous awards, including the 1960 Olympic Gold Medal, the 1998 United Nations Messenger of Peace Award, and the 2005 Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Lonnie Ali said having his face on the stamp was especially meaningful because it was a chance to highlight his mission to spread compassion and connect with people.

“He did it one at a time,” she said. “It’s a great way to connect with people, send them a letter, and employ that stamp to amplify your message in a connected life.”

A stamp for public unveiling

The ceremony for the first day of the Muhammad Ali Forever stamp is scheduled for Thursday in Louisville, Kentucky, the birthplace of the famed boxer and home of the Muhammad Ali Center, which showcases his life and legacy. That’s when people can buy Muhammad Ali Forever Stamps featuring a 1974 black-and-white Associated Press photo of Ali in his famed boxing pose.

Each sheet of 20 stamps also features a photo of Ali posing in a pinstripe suit, paying tribute to his work as an activist and humanitarian. Twenty-two million stamps were printed. U.S. Postal Service officials said once they sell out, they won’t be reissued. The stamps are expected to generate great interest from collectors and non-collectors alike.

Because these are Forever stamps, first-class mail will always remain valid, which Lonnie Ali calls the “ultimate” tribute.

“It will be a forever stamp from the post office,” she said. “This is just one of those things that will be part of his legacy and one of the shining stars of his legacy that will receive this stamp.”

Creating a historical stamp

Lisa Bobb-Semple, director of USPS stamp services, said the idea for the Muhammad Ali stamp came shortly after his death, almost a decade ago. But the process of developing a badge is long. The USPS requires that people appearing on stamps must have been dead for at least three years, with the exception of presidents.

While USPS was working behind the scenes on the stamp, Ali’s friend helped launch the #GetTheChampAStamp campaign, which sparked public interest in the idea.

“We’re really excited that the stars aligned to make the stamp happen,” said Bobb-Semple, who initially had to keep Ali’s planned stamp a secret until it became official. “It’s a product we’ve always wanted to bring to market.”

Members of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, appointed by the postmaster general, are responsible for selecting who and what appears on the stamps. They meet quarterly with Bobb-Semple and her team to review suggestions submitted by the public. About 20–25 commemorative stamps are usually issued each year.

Once a stamp idea is selected, Bobb-Semple and her team work with one of several art directors to design the mailer. It then goes through a lengthy final approval process, including strict review by USPS legal staff, before it can be released to the public.

Antonio Alcalá, art director and designer of the Muhammad Ali stamp, said hundreds of photos were reviewed before the final decision was narrowed down to a few. Ultimately, the AP photo taken by an anonymous photographer was selected. It shows Ali in great shape, posing with boxing gloves and looking straight at the camera.

Alcalá said there is a story behind every USPS stamp.

“Postage stamps are miniature works of art designed to reflect the American experience, depicting America’s heroes, history, milestones, achievements and natural wonders,” he said. “Muhammad Ali’s stamps are a perfect example of this.”

An outspoken figure in the areas of war, civil rights and religion

Outside the ring, Ali spoke openly about his beliefs, while many black Americans were still struggling to be heard. Ali, born Cassius Clay Jr., changed his name after converting to Islam in the 1960s and spoke openly about race, religion and war. In 1967, he refused to enlist in the U.S. Army, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War.

This attitude cost Ali the heavyweight title and excluded him from boxing for over three years. Convicted of conscription evasion, he was sentenced to five years in prison, but remained free while he appealed. This verdict was overturned by the United States Supreme Court in 1971, further strengthening his position as a world figure.

Later in life, Ali became a global humanitarian and used his fame to promote peace, religious understanding and charitable causes, even though Parkinson’s disease restricted his speech and movement.

Ali’s message in times of conflict

The commemorative postage stamp comes at a time of political division in the U.S. and around the world. Lonnie Ali said that if her husband were alive today, he would probably “block a lot of it out” and still be a compassionate person who interacts with people every day.

In her opinion, this approach is especially critical now.

“We need to mobilize the life of Muhammad and in some sense engage in the same acts of kindness and compassion that he did every day,” she said.

Boxing

Devin Haney Confident Ahead of Dec. 19 Title Unification Battle with Liam Paro

Published

8 hours ago

November 5, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Devin Haney Confident Ahead of Dec. 19 Title Unification Battle with Liam Paro"

A formal press release was issued today announcing the December 19 welterweight title unification between Devin Haney and Liam Paro at San Francisco’s Chase Center, and in anticipation of the meeting with a co-feature of Brian Norman vs Abel RamosHaney shared his excitement for what he expects to be another successful outing to snag some more hardware.

“My resume speaks for itself,” Haney said. “I’ve never been afraid to go into a champion’s backyard and put my record on the line. I went to Australia, took George Kambosos’ belts, and became undisputed lightweight champion of the world. Now I’m bringing another Australian world champion, Liam Paro, into my backyard. This time, I plan to take his belt and become a unified welterweight world champion right here at home.
“Oakland is where my story started, and the Bay Area has always been part of who I am. The Valkyries just brought a championship to Chase Center, and on December 19, I plan to keep that championship energy going.

“I made history in Australia. Now it’s time to make history at home.”

Paro, however hopes to upset the odds, knowing he’ll be coming into this fight as a decided underdog.

“Three years ago, I was on the undercard at Chase Center the night Devin fought Regis Prograis,” Paro said. “I said back then that Haney versus Paro rolls off the tongue. Now it’s here. Champion versus champion, two belts on the line, in his backyard.

“I’ve never taken the easy road. I went to Puerto Rico and took the title off Matias in front of his own people. Devin’s a great fighter and I respect that. But I’ve been the underdog plenty of times and I’ve made history before. December 19, I’m coming to unify the division and make more history.”

With the WBO and IBF welterweight world titles on the line, one fight will be heading into the new year halfway to undisputed.

Boxing

Liam Paro Set to Face Devin Haney at Chase Center for Title Showdown

Published

9 hours ago

November 5, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Liam Paro Set to Face Devin Haney at Chase Center for Title Showdown"

Liam Paro served as supporting cast the last time Devin Haney headlined at Chase Center. Come December 19, he walks into San Francisco carrying the IBF welterweight title, gunning to strip Haney of his WBO strap.

Three years transformed Paro from an undercard face into a headline attraction. He watched Haney shut out Regis Prograis from the locker room in December 2023. Now he commands the marquee, even if getting US fight fans to open their wallets on pay-per-view presents an uphill battle.

“Three years ago, I was on the undercard at Chase Center the night Devin fought Regis Prograis. I said back then that Haney versus Paro rolls off the tongue. Now it is here. Champion versus champion, two belts on the line, in his backyard. I have never taken the easy road. I went to Puerto Rico and took the title off Matias in front of his own people,” Paro stated.

The Australian proved his mettle by snatching the 140-pound crown from Subriel Matias on hostile soil. Richardson Hitchins took it right back six months later, checking Paro’s momentum before mainstream crowds took notice.

The jump to 147 pounds provided the reboot he needed. Three straight wins, capped by a gritty points victory over Lewis Crocker to claim the IBF strap, set the stage for this encounter.

Haney ends a lengthy layoff on home turf. Sitting out more than twelve months makes asking fans to purchase a DAZN PPV against a fighter unknown to mainstream viewers a tough sell. Belts by themselves rarely move the needle at the box office.

Brian Norman Jr. takes on Abel Ramos in the ten-round co-feature. Norman dropped his WBO belt to Haney last November and must now accept undercard placement on his conqueror’s bill.

Paro earned his position the hard way. December 19 decides if his punch output can upset the hometown favorite or if Haney cruises behind his jab.

Boxing

Tyson Fury Dismantles Wilders Career: A Turning Point in Their Ongoing Rivalry

Published

10 hours ago

November 5, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Tyson Fury Dismantles Wilder's Career: A Turning Point in Their Ongoing Rivalry"

Tyson Fury sees little point in Deontay Wilder stepping inside a ring again, an inconvenient stance given Wilder’s spot on his upcoming December 11 card. Labeling the former champion “shot to bits” severely undercuts Jai Opetaia’s heavyweight entrance, turning a marquee pairing into an exercise in past glory.

Wilder meets the undefeated cruiserweight ruler at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, supporting the Netflix headliner between Fury and Anthony Joshua. Opetaia carries a spotless 31-0 record into the division. Wilder enters at 45-4-1. While the American’s presence guarantees instant marquee value, Fury openly questions if any real substance remains.

“Silly for Deontay’s part,” Fury remarked to FightHype regarding the bout. “He shouldn’t be nowhere near a ring. It’s a dying shame that this man has to continue to fight when he’s shot to bits.”

Fury argued Wilder should have walked away after their brutal 2021 trilogy finale. He referenced Wilder’s narrow split decision over Derek Chisora in April to illustrate the decline, pointing out that Chisora walked through shots that once ended nights instantly.

This goes well beyond standard fight banter or favoring the younger fighter. Fury insists any ring appearance by Wilder is a mistake, no matter the rival. Sharing thirty rounds across three savage encounters gives his assessment real credibility, even with his typical theatrical flair taken into account.

That leaves promoters with an awkward narrative. Wilder’s box office appeal relies entirely on the sudden violence of his equalizer. If the card’s headline attraction claims that thunder is gone, fans are paying for nostalgia rather than prime danger.

Opetaia faces a distinct reputational limit because of it. A dominant performance adds a legendary heavyweight scalp to his ledger, yet it will not convince skeptics he can challenge the division elite. Fury provided the counterargument months in advance: the opponent should have stepped away long ago.

The move up remains hazardous for the Australian. Stepping up in weight brings obvious physical disadvantages, and assuming Wilder is completely toothless would be reckless. Opetaia must rely on sharp footwork, making the veteran chase shadows instead of giving him a stationary target.

Diminished skills can still pack enough punch to alter someone venturing north of 200 pounds. Even so, this version barely resembles the wrecking ball who defended the WBC belt ten times.

Fury tore through the promotional sheen around this contest. Opetaia gets his crack at the famous Bronze Bomber name, but the card’s top star insists the man in Cardiff belongs in the crowd, not under the lights.

What’s interesting is how Fury is eager to declare Wilder finished, yet plenty of fans see his main event with Joshua as two faded names cashing in before the wheels fall off completely.

If Joshua catches him and puts him away early, the reaction will be merciless. The narrative will immediately flip to Fury being a shell of the giant who outboxed Wladimir Klitschko or battered Wilder in their rematch.

When a fighter spends years taking heavy punishment, blowing up between camps, and showing diminished punch resistance, the drop-off rarely happens gradually. It comes all at once.

Ever since the Francis Ngannou knockdown, Fury’s aura of invincibility has vanished. He was hurt badly and dropped by Oleksandr Usyk, and even in his recent bouts against big punchers like Arslanbek Makhmudov, he showed far less mobility and far more vulnerability to clean shots. His legs do not bail him out of trouble the way they used to.

Joshua rebuilt his career against lower-tier opposition, Kristian Prenga, and a crossover fight with Jake Paul, but the memory of being taken apart by Daniel Dubois, Oleksandr Usyk, and flattened by Andy Ruiz Jr. never truly disappeared. He remains cautious, mechanical, and prone to freezing.

If Joshua lands the clean right hand and flattens him, Fury will not have any room to complain about the commentary that follows. You cannot publicly brand your former rival a walking corpse on your undercard, then expect sympathy when the boxing public decides Father Time caught up to you on the very same night.