Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg on Monday issued a proclamation in observance of the 50th anniversary of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Exhibition that was held at the city of Charleston's Stoney Field on June 30, 1971. You can read the full proclamation here.
The exhibition was arranged by then-local boxing promoter Reggie Barrett, Jr., principal owner of Barrett's Bombers, a local boxing team. Former city of Charleston Recreation Director Jack Adams also played a key role in ensuring the event's success, which drew a large audience.
A professional boxer, philanthropist and activist in the Civil Rights Movement, Ali became a symbol of racial pride for African Americans around the world and achieved widespread acclaim as the best heavyweight boxer of the 20th century.