Muhammad Ali drawings on block

A rare collection of sketches and paintings by American boxer Muhammad Ali — who loved to draw between fights — is going up for auction in New York this week.

The 24-piece collection, many of them in cartoon style and some of them signed, reflect Ali’s interest in religion and social justice, but there are also some that picture him in the ring. “Ref, he did float like a butterfly and sting like a bee!” reads the speech bubble from a boxer knocked out by an opponent with his arms raised in victory. Bonhams auctioneers said Ali’s passion for drawing was little known, but he liked to sketch as a way of unwinding after a fight or training.