Muhammad Ali Statue Unveiled in Lewiston After Decade-Long Community Effort
LEWISTON, MAINE – A monumental tribute to boxing legend and social activist Muhammad Ali was unveiled in Lewiston on May 31st, 2025. A ten-foot bronze statue of Ali towering over Sonny Liston following their controversial 1965 fight, now stands as a symbol of resilience for all.
Governor Mills and other speakers at the event react to the unveiling of the larger than life depiction of Muhammad Ali. Photo by Nick Gervin © 2025.
The morning rain began to subside as a large crowd assembled on Main Street. “The Greatest” star of the event, a statue concealed in white cloth, stood tall above the podium. Nearby, the Bates Mill No. 5 (with the illuminated “Hopeful” sign) set the backdrop of the scene.
Conceptualized by artist Charlie Hewitt a decade ago, the statue is the result of a collaborative effort involving sculptor Zenos Frudakis (also known as "The Monument Man"), Tom Platz, and the support from numerous local businesses. Hewitt, who dubbed the depiction of the statue "the Lewiston pose," spoke to the long journey it took to bring the project to fruition.
"It took ten years to be here. And it’s appropriate that it took ten years," Hewitt stated. "Because Lewiston needs this now. We all need this in this time of chaos, confusion, this time of uncertainty."
The statue captures the moment after the infamous "phantom punch" in Ali's rematch with Liston, an image that remains a powerful symbol of Ali's dominance in the ring and his complex legacy. More than just a boxer, Muhammad Ali was a vocal advocate for social change. He used his platform to challenge racial injustice and oppose the Vietnam War, often at considerable personal cost. His charisma and unwavering confidence made him a global icon, and his commitment to social justice and religious freedom make him a symbol of hope for many.
Governor Janet Mills speaks enthusiastically next to the as yet unveiled sculpture. Photo by Nick Gervin © 2025.
Maine's modern day champion, Governor Janet Mills, was in attendance and spoke with the roar of a ringside announcer.
“I think the words from that fight still ring loud and remind us that the state of Maine and the city of Lewiston is loud, proud, strong, resilient. And when Ali hovered over Sunny Liston and was ready to sock him again if he got up, saying ‘Get up and fight’ … I think we say that every day in Maine, and I think he was telling the city of Lewiston ‘get up and fight’. And the state of Maine got up and fought and we're still getting up and fighting every day! We’ll never get knocked out, we’ll never get knocked down. This is a city that is strong, loud, and proud and a state that is strong, loud, and proud and I'm happy to be with you today for this unveiling of this incredible individual who stood for guts, glory, courage, and a little bit of sense of humor, and some rhyming to go with it.”
The unveiling ceremony included remarks from Bates College graduate and Lightweight New England Golden Gloves Champion, Ilyas Bashir. Bashir shared.
"Ali showed us that the fight is bigger than the ring. That’s why this moment matters. That’s why this statute matters, especially to kids in our community who can look up at Ali and see that greatness starts right where we stand"
The Ali statue is expected to become a significant landmark in Lewiston, drawing visitors and serving as a reminder of Ali’s enduring impact on sports and society.
“The Greatest” star of the event, the Muhammad Ali statue draped in a white cloth before the unveiling. Photo by Nick Gervin © 2025.
From left to right: Tom Platz (Principal, Architect at Platz Associates), Garry W. Jenkins (Bates College President), Ilyas Bashir (Lightweight New England Golden Gloves Champion), Janet Mills (Maine Governor), Carl Sheline (Lewiston Mayor), Bryan Kaenrath (Lewiston City Administrator), Charlie Hewitt (artist) and Zenos Frudakis (sculptor). Photo by Nick Gervin © 2025.
