World’s largest statue of Muhammad Ali unveiled in Lewiston, Maine

“The people of Lewiston get up every morning and fight every round for their families and their communities. They will not be knocked down. That is what we celebrate." - Charlie Hewitt. Photo: John Xuereb

Sculptor Zenos Frudakis with his Muhammad Ali statue in Lewiston, Maine. Photo Credit: Russ Dillingham

New public monument by acclaimed sculptor Zenos Frudakis honors the legacy of ‘The Greatest’ near site of iconic 1965 rematch with Sonny Liston

It’s not about whether you get knocked down—it’s about whether you get back up.”
— Zenos Frudakis

LEWISTON, ME, UNITED STATES, June 3, 2025 -- A 10-foot bronze statue of boxing legend Muhammad Ali—the largest in the world—was unveiled Saturday, May 31, in downtown Lewiston, Maine, near the site of the famous 1965 rematch between Ali and Sonny Liston. The event was attended by community members, city officials, organizers, as well as Governor Janet Mills.

Created by acclaimed Philadelphia sculptorZenos Frudakis, the statue commemorates not only the anniversary of the historic bout, but also stands as a symbol of resilience for a city still recovering from the 2023 mass shooting that killed 18 people.

“This sculpture reflects Ali’s grace, strength, and moral courage,” said Frudakis. “He was a true original—a man who stood firm in his convictions and inspired the world through his words and actions as much as his fists.”

The statue is installed at the entrance to Bates Mill No. 5 at 10 Mill St., near the Androscoggin River’s Auburn Bridge, where more than 32,000 vehicles pass daily.

Lewiston artistCharlie Hewitt, who co-initiated the project with architect and developerTom Platz, emphasized the monument’s symbol of resilience, transformation, and dignity.

"Ali didn’t win every round but he got up and fought every round — and that’s how he became arguably the best athlete of the 20th century,” said Hewitt “The people of Lewiston get up every morning and fight every round for their families and their communities. They will not be knocked down. That is what we celebrate."

Platz, who attended the 1965 fight as a seventh grader, spearheaded the fundraising efforts through private donations. “Ali was a major part of Lewiston’s history,” he said. “This statue celebrates our roots in diversity, immigration, and resilience. There’s no better time to honor that.”

In remarks made during the unveiling, Lewiston City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath said the statue speaks to Lewiston’s enduring spirit.

“This is more than bronze and steel. It’s a testament to the idea that greatness can emerge in the most unexpected of places—right here in Lewiston,” Kaenrath said. “Ali was not only a champion in the ring, but also a global force for justice, dignity, and peace.”

Mayor Carl Sheline called the unveiling a moment of shared purpose. “We don’t just honor a legend. We recognize a legacy of grit, heart, and the unshakable belief that where you come from doesn’t define your destiny—what you fight for does.”

Governor Janet Mills reflected on Ali’s timeless message.

“When Ali stood over Sonny Liston yelling ‘Get up and fight,’ he wasn’t just talking to his opponent,” Mills said. “He was speaking to all of us. And that’s what Maine and Lewiston have done—we get up and fight. We'll never get knocked out. We'll never get knocked down. We're still getting up and fighting every day. This is a city that is strong, loud and proud in a state that is strong, loud and proud.”

Third-generation Somali American Ilyas Bashir, a Portland Boxing Club fighter and amateur Golden Gloves champion, said Ali’s example shaped his own identity.

“Muhammad Ali carried weight in our family—not just because he was a boxing legend, but because he was Black, Muslim, and unapologetically himself,” Bashir said. “He showed us what greatness could look like.”

Frudakis said he hopes the sculpture serves as lasting inspiration. “It’s not about whether you get knocked down—it’s about whether you get back up.”

The Ali-Liston rematch on May 25, 1965, remains one of the most debated and enduring moments in boxing history. The original bout was relocated to Lewiston after Boston withdrew due to security threats. In just 17 days, local promoter Sam Michael transformed the Central Maine Youth Center (now The Colisée) into a boxing venue, bringing the world’s attention to this mill town for one unforgettable night, and forever linking the city to a global sports icon.

For media inquiries and interviews with sculptor Zenos Frudakis, contact: John Xuereb
Email: jfrxuereb@gmail.com
Phone: 610-470-8066

About Zenos Frudakis
Contemporary artist Zenos Frudakis has been a professional working sculptor for nearly five decades. In that time, he has created a diverse range of more than 125 monumental works in public and private collections throughout the U.S. and abroad. His works include the Freedom sculpture in Philadelphia, the U.S. Air Force Memorial Honor Guard in Arlington National Cemetery, and Payne Stewart at Pinehurst, North Carolina, to name a few. An alumnus of Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a master’s in fine art from the University of Pennsylvania. Zenos' emphasis has been the figure and the portrait, as demonstrated in his many monumental figure/portrait works, individual portrait busts and bas-reliefs, and animals. He excels at expressing the character and vitality of his subjects while capturing an accurate likeness, with a portfolio of living and historical individuals, and poetic/philosophical sculpture with a socially conscious sensibility.www.zenosfrudakis.com.

John Xuereb
PR Consultant
jfrxuereb@gmail.com

Nation’s largest full-body statue of Muhammad Ali to be unveiled in Lewiston, Saturday, May 31

Statue by acclaimed Philadelphia artist Zenos Frudakis honors Ali's legacy and celebrates the 60th anniversary of the iconic 1965 rematch with Sonny Liston

Zenos Frudakis with his 10-foot bronze statue of Muhammad Ali at the Laran Bronze Foundry in Chester, Pa., prior to its move to Lewiston, Maine, where it will be installed on May 31.

LEWISTON, ME, UNITED STATES, May 29, 2025 — A towering 10-foot bronze statue of Muhammad Ali will be unveiled at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 31, in downtown Lewiston, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Ali’s historic 1965 rematch with Sonny Liston.

The work, by renowned Philadelphia sculptor Zenos Frudakis, “The Monument Man,” depicts the young Ali in a moment of poised triumph. It will stand at the entrance to Bates Mill No. 5, near the Auburn bridge, visible to more than 32,000 drivers daily.

“This sculpture reflects Ali’s grace, strength, and moral courage,” Frudakis said. “He was a true original — a man who stood firm in his convictions and inspired the world through his words and actions as much as his fists.”

Organizers say the monument honors Ali’s legacy in sports and civil rights, while serving as a symbol of resilience for a city still mourning the 2023 mass shooting that killed 18 people.

“This is more than a tribute to a great athlete,” said artist and Lewiston native Charlie Hewitt, who co-led the project with architect and developer Tom Platz. “It’s an act of healing.”

Platz, who attended the 1965 fight as a child, led the fundraising effort through private donations.

The Ali-Liston bout was moved to Lewiston after Boston dropped out, and remains one of the most iconic events in sports history.

What:
Unveiling of the 10-foot bronze statue of Muhammad Ali in Lewiston, Maine

Where:
Bates Mill No. 5
10 Mill St, Lewiston, ME 04240

When:
Saturday, May 31, 2 p.m.

Why:
This statue commemorates the 60th anniversary of Ali's historic 1965 boxing match against Sonny Liston in Lewiston, Maine.

Who:
The statue unveiling will feature a community celebration, and remarks from local officials and community leaders. The sculptor Zenos Frudakis, and local artist Charlie Hewitt and architect and developer Tom Platz, who co-initiated the project, will be present.

Media Contact:
For media inquiries and interviews with sculptor Zenos Frudakis, contact: John Xuereb
Email: jfrxuereb@gmail.com
Phone: 610-470-8066

About Zenos Frudakis
Contemporary Philadelphia-based sculptor Zenos Frudakis has been a professional working sculptor for nearly five decades. In that time, he has created more than 125 monumental works in public and private collections throughout the U.S. and abroad. An alumnus of Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a master’s in fine art from the University of Pennsylvania. Zenos' emphasis has been the figure and the portrait, as demonstrated in his many monumental figure/portrait works, individual portrait busts and bas-reliefs. He excels at expressing the character and vitality of his subjects while capturing an accurate likeness. Zenos portfolio includes figure sculpture, animals, bas-reliefs, portraits -- both busts and paintings -of living and historical individuals, and poetic/philosophical sculpture with a socially conscious sensibility. www.zenosfrudakis.com.

John Xuereb
PR Consultant
+1 610-470-8066
email us here

Media invited to exclusive preview of nation’s largest full-body statue of boxing legend Muhammad Ali

The 10-foot bronze statue by acclaimed Philadelphia artist Zenos Frudakis to honor the legacy of ‘The Greatest’ near site of iconic 1965 rematch with Sonny Liston in Lewiston, Maine 

Sculptor Zenos Frudakis with his 10-foot bronze statue of Muhammad Ali at the Laran Bronze Foundry in Chester, Pa. that is headed to Lewiston. The patina will be applied during a preview for media on Thursday, May 22.

PHILADELPHIA — May 21, 2025 — Members of the Delaware Valley media are invited to an exclusive first look of a towering 10-foot bronze sculpture of Muhammad Ali, created by renowned Philadelphia sculptor Zenos Frudakis for Lewiston, Maine, on Thursday, May 22, at 11 a.m., at the Laran Bronze Foundry in Chester, Pa. This significant new work commemorates the iconic 1965 rematch between Ali and Sonny Liston. The work will be publicly unveiled on Saturday, May 31, at 2 p.m., in Lewiston.

The much larger-than-life statue captures a young Ali in a moment of poised triumph and courage, standing as a tribute not only to his boxing legacy but also to his enduring social impact.

WHAT:
Media preview of nation’s largest full-body statue of Muhammad Ali—before it departs for its final home in Lewiston, Maine.

WHEN:
Thursday, May 22, at 11 a.m.

WHERE:
Laran Bronze Foundry
310 East 6th Street
Chester, PA  19013

WHO:
Philadelphia Sculptor Zenos Frudakis will be available for interviews.

Laran Bronze will be applying the patina to the sculpture using a hot torch and acid (a highly visual process). Photo and video opportunities available.

WHY:
This is a rare opportunity to view and document the statue in its final moments before it leaves Philadelphia. The installation marks a major cultural addition to Lewiston. The Ali-Liston bout remains one of boxing’s most debated and celebrated matches here in the U.S. and internationally. Though brief, the fight etched Lewiston into the annals of sports lore. This preview event offers exclusive visuals and commentary from the artist who created the work, and representatives from Laran Bronze, Inc. who cast it.

To RSVP contact John Xuereb at 610-470-8066, or by email at jfrxuereb@gmail.com.

About Zenos Frudakis
Contemporary Philadelphia sculptor Zenos Frudakis has been a professional working sculptor for nearly five decades. In that time, he has created more than 125 monumental works in public and private collections throughout the U.S. and abroad. A graduate of Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a master’s in fine art from the University of Pennsylvania. Zenos' emphasis has been the figure and the portrait, as demonstrated in his many monumental figure/portrait works, individual portrait busts and bas-reliefs. He excels at expressing the character and vitality of his subjects while capturing an accurate likeness. Zenos portfolio includes figure sculpture, animals, bas-reliefs, portraits -- both busts and paintings -of living and historical individuals, and poetic/philosophical sculpture with a socially conscious sensibility. www.zenosfrudakis.com.

 # # #

Statue of boxing legend Muhammad Ali set for Lewiston unveiling May 31

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                            
May 8, 2025           

Contact:    
John Xuereb
For Frudakis Studio, Inc.
Glenside, Pa.
610-470-8066
jfrxuereb@gmail.com

Statue of boxing legend Muhammad Ali set for Lewiston unveiling May 31

Work by acclaimed artist Zenos Frudakis honors the legacy of ‘The Greatest’ near site of iconic 1965 rematch with Sonny Liston

PHILADELPHIA — May 8, 2025 — A towering 10-foot bronze statue honoring Muhammad Ali will be publicly unveiled Saturday, May 31, at 2 p.m., in downtown Lewiston, Maine, commemorating the iconic 1965 rematch between Ali and Sonny Liston.

Created by renowned Philadelphia-based sculptor Zenos Frudakis, the statue captures a young Ali in a moment of poised triumph and courage, standing as a tribute not only to his boxing legacy but also to his enduring social impact.

“This sculpture reflects Ali’s grace, strength, and moral courage,” said Frudakis. “He was a true original—a man who stood firm in his convictions and inspired the world through his words and actions as much as his fists.”

The statue will be installed at the entrance to Bates Mill No. 5 at 65 Main St.— just 200 feet from the Auburn bridge—positioned as a gateway to the city and visible to more than 32,000 vehicles daily.

Artist and Lewiston native Charlie Hewitt, who co-initiated the project with Lewiston architect and developer Tom Platz over a decade ago, emphasized the statue’s deeper meaning. “This is more than a tribute to a great athlete,” said Hewitt. “It’s a recognition of resilience, transformation, and dignity. To bring a monumental sculpture of a young Black Muslim man to a town with its own history of discrimination and exclusion is an act of healing and connection.”

Platz, who attended the May 25th, 1965, fight as a seventh-grader with his father, led the fundraising effort through private donations from local banks, businesses, and individuals. “Ali was a major part of Lewiston’s history,” said Platz. “This statue celebrates our roots in diversity, immigration, and resilience. There’s no better time to honor that.”

The original bout was relocated to Lewiston after Boston withdrew due to security threats. In just 17 days, local promoter Sam Michael transformed the Central Maine Youth Center (now Androscoggin Bank Colisée) into a boxing venue, bringing the world’s attention to this mill town for one unforgettable night.

The Ali-Liston bout remains one of boxing’s most debated and celebrated matches. Though brief, the fight etched Lewiston into the annals of sports lore.

For media inquiries and interviews with sculptor Zenos Frudakis, contact: John Xuereb

Email: jfrxuereb@gmail.com

Phone: 610-470-8066

To access a gallery of photos of Zenos Frudakis' Muhammad Ali statue click here. Photo credit: Frudakis Studio, Inc.

About Zenos Frudakis: Contemporary Philadelphia-based sculptor Zenos Frudakis has been a professional working sculptor for nearly five decades. In that time, he has created more than 125 monumental works in public and private collections throughout the U.S. and abroad. An alumnus of Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a master’s in fine art from the University of Pennsylvania. Zenos' emphasis has been the figure and the portrait, as demonstrated in his many monumental figure/portrait works, individual portrait busts and bas-reliefs. He excels at expressing the character and vitality of his subjects while capturing an accurate likeness. Zenos portfolio includes figure sculpture, animals, bas-reliefs, portraits—both busts and paintings—of living and historical individuals, and poetic/philosophical sculpture with a socially conscious sensibility. www.zenosfrudakis.com.

# # #

“The Monument Man:” Renowned Sculptor Zenos Frudakis to Be Featured on Public Television’s Articulate with Jim Cotter

PHILADELPHIA – Jan. 4, 2021 – Frudakis Studio, Inc. is excited to announce that renowned Philadelphia-based sculptor Zenos Frudakis is one of the artists featured in Season 6 of the Emmy® Award-winning public television magazine series Articulate with Jim Cotter. The episode featuring Zenos, titled “The Monument Man” will begin airing on public television stations nationwide on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021.

A production of Panavista, Inc. for The Articulate Foundation, Articulate with Jim Cotter is presented by Lehigh Valley Public Media, home of PBS39, and nationally syndicated through American Public Television (APT). The series, which was launched in 2015, informs and uplifts audiences with stories of how creative thinking shapes our world. Through interviews, live performances, and distinctive storytelling, Articulate has earned its reputation as a one-of-a-kind window into the ideas and experiences of diverse artists, from authors and architects to musicians and dancers.

“The Monument Man,” episode 9 of the 13 new 30-minute episodes produced for Season 6 of Articulate with Jim Cotter, explores the artistic drive behind the creative work of Zenos Frudakis, who, as Articulate describes him, “has spent the last fifty years sculpting life out of bronze, aiming to capture the likeness and spirit of his subjects and to shine a light on those who have helped foster change in the world.”

Over the course of his professional artistic career Zenos has created numerous large-scale public sculptures including his conceptual creation Freedom located in Philadelphia, and widely considered to be among one of the world’s best public sculptures. Other prominent works include the U.S. Air Force Memorial Honor Guard, a copy of which stands at the British Imperial War Museum in Duxford, England; as well as many commissioned public monuments, portrait statues, and portrait busts of prominent cultural, sports and historical figures located throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Reflecting on making television during a pandemic, Articulate host Jim Cotter said, “Throughout 2020, the Articulate team has continued to find new, safe ways to work. Because of this, Articulate is able to offer viewers answers and solace during these unprecedented times with original perspectives on where we’ve been, who we are, and what we might become.”

• To watch the Season 6 Trailer of Articulate with Jim Cotter, click HERE

• A link to local listings can be found HERE.

For more information about Zenos Frudakis, and for interview requests with the artist, contact John Xuereb, at 610-520-6140 x202, or jxuereb@alvare.com; or Rosalie Frudakis, of Frudakis Studio, Inc. at 215-884-9433, or rofrudakis@aol.com.

About Zenos Frudakis

Philadelphia-based sculptor Zenos Frudakis has been a professional working sculptor for more than four decades. In that time he has created more than 100 monumental works in public and private collections throughout the US and overseas. An alumnus of Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master in Fine Art from the University of Pennsylvania. Zenos' emphasis has been the figure and the portrait, as demonstrated in his many monumental figure/portrait works, individual portrait busts and bas-reliefs. He excels at expressing the character and vitality of his subjects while capturing an accurate likeness. Zenos’ portfolio includes figure sculpture, animals, bas-reliefs, portraits -- both busts and paintings -of living and historical individuals, and poetic/philosophical sculpture with a contemporary sensibility. zenosfrudakis.com

About the Articulate Foundation

Through our Emmy® Award-winning public television program, Articulate with Jim Cotter, its associated digital media platforms, and other educational vehicles, the Articulate Foundation connects a diverse audience to the human stories behind art, fostering continued real-world engagement with creativity. We envision a world where artists are valued and respected for their ideas, modes of thinking, and productivity, and where the contributions of creative minds are core to thinking in the classroom, in the boardroom, in government, and beyond. For more information: articulateshow.org.

About Lehigh Valley Public Media

Lehigh Valley Public Media is home to PBS39, WLVR News, and various community initiatives. We are the regional leader in the publicly funded, non-profit media space and serve a vibrant and growing economic region through a dedication to local, unbiased journalism, primary and secondary education, workforce development and health and wellness. PBS39 broadcasts four additional channels of content: PBS39 Extra, WORLD, Create TV and France 24. Lehigh Valley Public Media is licensed in Allentown to the Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation. For more information, visit PBS39.org.

About American Public Television

American Public Television (APT) is the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s public television stations. Founded in 1961, APT distributes 250 new program titles per year and more than one-third of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U.S. APT’s diverse catalog includes prominent documentaries, performance, dramas, how-to programs, classic movies, children’s series and news and current affairs programs. Doc Martin, Midsomer Murders, America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, AfroPoP, Rick Steves’ Europe, Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Television, Front and Center, Lidia’s Kitchen, Kevin Belton’s New Orleans Kitchen, Simply Ming, The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross, James Patterson’s Kid Stew and NHK Newsline are a sampling of APT’s programs, considered some of the most popular on public television. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service and distributes Create®TV—featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming—and WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science and documentary channel. To find out more about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org.

Commemorative Bronze Statue of Frank “Sandy” Tatum by Philadelphia Sculptor Zenos Frudakis installed at Harding Park in time for PGA Championship

The Sandy Tatum statuary made an “accidental” stop in Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal, Mo.,
while in transport to San Francisco from Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA – August 5, 2020 – The recently completed bronze statuary of the late Frank “Sandy” Tatum, by renowned, Philadelphia-based sculptor Zenos Frudakis, is now safely installed at San Francisco’s TPC Harding Park in time for the course’s first PGA Championship (largely credited to Tatum’s efforts in restoring the golf course to PGA status), and first major of the year that gets underway this week.

En route to Harding Park, late last week, from Philadelphia, the statue of Tatum was ejected through the roof of the transport truck when it overturned and crashed into a field in Hannibal, Mo., the hometown of Mark Twain. The statuary sustained minor damage that was repaired in Berkeley, Calif. The rescue, repair, and installation operation was overseen by Dan Burke, the executive director of The First Tee of San Francisco, the national youth development program, the regional chapter of which Tatum established at Harding Park. One of the two drivers of the truck is recovering from minor injuries from the crash.

Zenos, whose professional artistic career spans four decades, was commissioned to create the over-life-sized statue of the former USGA president through a portion of a $5 million gift by investor and financial executive Charles Schwab, a longtime friend of Tatum’s. The bulk of the donation will be used to renovate The First Tee San Francisco Chapter. Sandy Tatum Jr. (July 7, 1920 – June 22, 2017) was an attorney, golf administrator, golf course architect, promoter, and amateur golfer.

The commemorative Sandy Tatum statuary, created by Zenos and cast at the Laran Bronze Foundry in Chester, Pa., includes a seven-foot likeness of Tatum standing in front of two youths flanking a staircase, which represents The First Tee’s nine core values – Honesty, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Respect, Confidence, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courtesy, and Judgement.