Ali was all shook up over Elvis

HE was revered as the king of the ring after becoming the greatest heavyweight boxing champion the world has seen, oozing courage and wit that made him an inspiration.

- NICOLA FAHEY

But behind closed doors, even Muhammad Ali suffered bouts of insecurity and would compare his looks unfavourably with those of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.

The champ's ex-wife has told how he secretly envied the singer for being "prettier".

Despite his own physical prowess, Ali also regarded Brazilian footballing legend Pele as a "true athlete".

And he was in awe of The Beatles, becoming obsessed with their mop-top haircuts.

Sharing a rare insight into his mindset, second wife Khalilah recalls: "Muhammad loved Elvis. He said to me, 'Elvis is real pretty. People love him because all the women love him - he's so pretty. I'm not as pretty as Elvis and he draws all the women out of nowhere".

The icons were close friends in the years ahead of Presley's death aged 42 in 1977, with Ali calling himself The Elvis of Boxing. And Presley gave the boxer a custom jewelled robe that mistakenly read "People's Choice" instead of "People's Champ" ahead of his win over Britain's Joe Bugner in 1973.

Khalilah, 73, adds: "Whenever Muhammad and I were in Elvis's company he was always down to earth, similar to Muhammad, loving to, give and help others.

"Sometimes when people are that great or popular they have arrogance and an ego, but Elvis and Muhammad did not.

"He used to play his records all the time. He was fond of The Beatles and very fascinated by their hair cuts. He would pull their hair up."

Khalilah, who married the boxer in 1967, when he was 25 and she was 17, also tells of Ali's admiration for Brazilian striker Pele, real name Edson Arantes do Nascimento, as a fellow Black man at the top of his sport. Pele is recognised for winning the World Cup three times with Brazil, while Ali won the heavyweight world title three times, with a professional record of 56 victories, 37 via knockout, and five defeats.