British photographer Zenon Texeira got the chance to shoot the final photos of Muhammad Ali, weeks before the boxing legend's death in a Phoenix hospital.
On Monday, British tabloid newspaper The Sun used one of Texeira's portraits of the three-time world heavyweight champion on the cover. Texeria said the photos were taken with the blessing of Ali's family.
Gordon Smart, who edited The Sun's Monday edition, defended the choice to publish one of Texeira's photos of Ali on the cover, The Washington Post pointed out.
"He lived his entire life in front of the camera, and his family wanted one final photoshoot, this is it … It's the last picture in the story of his life played out in photojournalism," Smart said.
Although Ali, who suffered from Parkinson's disease, had to be helped into a chair at a makeshift studio in Phoenix, Texeira told the Sun that the 74-year-old boxer was "feeling well and rested."
Texeira remembered for The Sun what happened in those 45 minutes with Ali:
"His skin glistens and he is meticulously groomed with cool dark sunglasses hiding his eyes.
"He is helped into an armchair and it's clear to see how fragile this man has become.
"However, I am told that even though he may not respond he understands every word.
"I do what I have to do and 45 minutes later wrap the shoot, over the moon with what I have captured.
"I hold his hand, thank him, tell him that I'll pray for him and kiss his forehead as I say goodbye," he said.
"It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to photograph one of the biggest icons this planet has ever seen," Texeira told The Sun.
A family spokesperson said on Saturday that Ali had died from septic shock.
A public funeral will be held this Friday in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali's birthplace. Former President Bill Clinton, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Jordan's King Abdullah II are expected to speak.