Sports Photographer Chris Smith Dies at 88

Chris Smith, the acclaimed sports photographer celebrated for his iconic 1964 photograph of Cassius Clay alongside the Beatles, has passed away at the age of 88. This memorable shot was taken at the 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach while Clay was preparing for his fight against Sonny Liston. Smith's impressive portfolio includes capturing sports legends such as George Best and Martina Navratilova, with his photography noted for its emotional resonance. He earned the title of Sports Photographer of the Year four times and was awarded Sports Picture of the Year on two occasions. In 1995, he received a special recognition in the SSF World Sports Photo Contest. His work featuring Ali was showcased in London in 2012, followed by a retrospective in 2017. Originally from Hartlepool, he started at the Hartlepool Mail and later contributed to the Observer and Sunday Times. He is survived by his wife Sylvia, sons Dan and Josh, four grandchildren, and sisters Barbara and Kathleen.