By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, known as ‘The Greatest’, once joked, “I should be a postage stamp, because that’s the only way I’ll ever get licked.”
That famous quote now seems prescient, as the U.S. Postal Service honors Ali with the release of two commemorative ‘Forever’ stamps, marking the latest addition to the Postal Service’s long-running program celebrating influential American figures.
The Muhammad Ali Forever stamps will be formally unveiled during a first-day-of-issue ceremony on January 15, 2026, at noon EST, at the University of Louisville’s L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. The event is free and open to the public and will be led by Ronald A. Stroman, a member of the USPS Board of Governors. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance through the USPS website.
Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali rose to global fame as a three-time heavyweight boxing champion, earning his nickname “The Greatest” for his achievements both inside and outside the ring.
Beyond his boxing career, Ali became a defining voice of his era, speaking openly about civil rights, faith and social justice at a time when doing so carried significant personal and professional risk. He was famously arrested and charged with evading the draft during the Vietnam War, a conflict that he opposed. Sentenced to five years in prison and banned from boxing, Ali was later acquitted on appeal to the Supreme Court.
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A three-time heavyweight champion, Ali first won the title in 1964 by defeating Sonny Liston, showcasing unprecedented speed, skill and confidence. Known for his quick footwork and sharp intellect, Ali famously described his style as “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Ali fought and defeated many of boxing’s greatest heavyweights, including Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Ken Norton, in legendary bouts that defined the sport for many years.
Because Ali took a stand on matters of principle in politics and human rights, his influence extended well beyond sports, as he emerged as a global symbol of courage, conviction and compassion.
Ali’s humanitarian work spanned decades and continents, including efforts to support medical relief initiatives, combat hunger and advocate for peace. In recognition of those efforts, he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 1998 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, the highest civilian honor in the United States. That same year, Ali and his wife, Lonnie, founded the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville to promote social responsibility and inspire future generations.
From a licensing and collectibles perspective, the stamp release adds Muhammad Ali to a select group of cultural figures memorialized through USPS philatelic programs, which often generate interest well beyond traditional stamp collectors. Consumers will be able to purchase the Muhammad Ali Forever stamps and related philatelic products through the USPS Postal Store, by phone, by mail, or at Post Office locations nationwide.
In addition, officially licensed stamp-related merchandise will be available through the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon, reflecting the Postal Service’s continued expansion into licensed consumer products tied to its stamp program.
News and updates related to the release are being shared using the hashtag #MuhammadAliStamps. Additional information on stamps, first-day-of-issue ceremonies and stamp-inspired products is available through USPS stamp-focused platforms.