Pierce Brosnan recalls the moment he met the famous boxer Muhammad Ali, who, at the time, was still known as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. The actor, who rose to fame for playing James Bond, found his encounter with the late athlete a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Speaking with DAZN Boxing, he shared a heartwarming story recounting how he saw Ali in a Dublin pub, where he was drawing on a tablecloth. Looking at the piece, Brosnan saw he was sketching stick figures of himself and George Foreman, complete with speech bubbles.
A special story about Muhammad Ali from Pierce Brosnan ❤️#EubankBenn2 🤳 @joliesharpe_ pic.twitter.com/eEUX1SuSky
Brosnan took the drawing home and had it framed. He also said Ali signed the drawing, which made it even more priceless for the actor.
Meeting Muhammad Ali Was A Life-Changing Moment For Pierce Brosnan
Anyone would call themselves lucky if they ever met the one and only Muhammad Ali. One of the greatest boxers of all time, he was a legendary figure in sports and a globally influential personality.
Brosnan has always been passionate about boxing, as he mentioned in the interview. The respect he had for the late athlete was evident in his enthusiasm for sharing how he kept Ali’s drawing and even preserved it. Certainly, any fan would do the same!
The actor also described Ali as a magnificent human who, during his lifetime, dedicated his efforts to philanthropy and activism. The famed cultural icon passed away in 2016 at the age of 74 from septic shock.
Brosnan’s Passion For Boxing Shines In New Sports Biopic Movie ‘Giant’
The Irish star surprised fans after he became unrecognizable following his transformation for the 2025 sports film Giant. Stepping inside the ring—although not wearing the boxing gloves—Brosnan portrays Brendan Ingle, boxing trainer and manager to Amir El-Masry’s Naseem Hamed.
While this role is far from the 007 part that many fans know, we might still see a bit of action from Brosnan as he plays the role of a boxing coach. The biopic premiered at the BFI London Film Festival last October and is scheduled for release in the United States and the United Kingdom in 2026.
What do you think of Brosnan’s lucky meeting with Ali? Share your thoughts in the comments!
