Historic lineBlackS to XXXL
The essentials: the line was written by his cornerman, Drew Bundini Brown, before the Liston fight in February 1964 — not by Ali himself. The quote stacked in a block with the fighter full length beside it. Six lines ranged to the same width, so the block reads at once rather than word by word. 6 sizes from S to XXXL, European cut — take your usual size. €39, free standard shipping.
The line is not his
It was coined by Drew Bundini Brown, his cornerman and dressing-room foil, before the fight against Sonny Liston in February 1964. Ali took it, carried it, turned it into a signature — and it entered history in his voice.
It describes exactly what he did: a heavyweight over 1.90 m / 6 ft 3 in who moved like a lightweight, left the distance without covering up, then came back to land. Nobody had boxed like that at heavyweight before him.
The artwork
White on black, centred high on the chest, in two columns. On the left, the line in stacked condensed capitals — FLOAT / LIKE A / BUTTERFLY / STING / LIKE A / BEE — every line ranged to the same width, giving a compact block of distressed type. The dates 1942-2016 close the column, set between two rules.
On the right, the fighter full length, running the whole height of the block: grey silhouette, shorts and boots picked out in white, torso three-quarters on, fists brought in. He stands as tall as the six lines of text together. Plain back.
The garment
Lined hood with a drawcord, kangaroo pocket, ribbed cuffs and hem. Straight cut, set-in long sleeves.
Technical specification
Technical specifications
Your size
European cut: take your usual size, with no adjustment and no Asian sizing to convert. Six sizes,S to XXXL, all at the same price. Worn over training kit, go up one size.
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Frequently asked questions
Who wrote Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee?
Drew Bundini Brown, Ali's cornerman, before the Liston fight in February 1964. Ali took it up and made it his own; it is remembered in his voice, not in Brown's.
What do the dates 1942-2016 mean?
Ali's birth and death: born in Louisville on 17 January 1942, died on 3 June 2016. They are printed in small type under the block of text.
Is the print on the front or the back?
On the front, high on the chest. The back is plain.
Does this hoodie come in large sizes?
Yes, up to XXXL, at the same price as the S. The cut is European, so there is no sizing conversion to apply.
What size should I take?
European cut — take your usual size, with no Asian sizing to convert. Six sizes from S to XXXL, all at the same price. Over training kit, go up one.
How do I care for the print?
Machine wash at 30 °C / 86 °F inside out, no tumble dryer, and never run an iron over the print. Heat transfer film holds for years on that routine and gives way to heat, not to washing.
