Boxing not Ali he could do..

BOXER Muhammad Ali immortalises his “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” catchphrase in a painting that has now sold for $425,000 (€367,000).

He uttered the words before defeating Sonny Liston in 1964 to claim his first world heavyweight title.

The knockout painting was one of several by Ali that fetched a total of £700,000 (€ 823,000) at an auction in New York. The $425,000 (€367,000) sale of Sting Like a Bee amounted to more than 10 times its pre-sale estimate.

Ali is hailed as one of the greatest athletes, activist and poet, but his artistic talents are less known. Bonhams auction house said he drew and painted all his life – encouraged by his father who was a professional artist.

Helen Hal l, of Bonhams, said: “His artwork depicts subjects close to his heart: boxing, civil rights, religion and world peace.”