BOXER Alek Penarski was a real knock-out in his younger days.

And he has beaten the director of the new movie about Muhammad Ali to the punch as well.

Michael Mann's heavyweight blockbuster "Ali" will not hit cinema screens in town until tonight.

But Alek already has a real film of the champ at home in Horwich -- and even stars in it as well.

He said: "I have got my own video of The Greatest. Only a few friends know. I have kept it a closely-guarded secret all this time."

Former British light-heavyweight title-holder Alek, now aged 46, met his boxing idol in 1985.

He was preparing for a fight at Belle Vue when world champ Ali -- who was on a promotional tour in Manchester -- suddenly appeared in the dressing room.

The two boxers had a quick sparring match, which was filmed by Alek's brother Stash, and the Bolton Chopper tried to land a lucky punch.

But in the end it was Alek's two-year-old son, Mark, who did what hundreds of other boxers have never managed.

Alek said: "Ali lifted Mark off the floor and tried to give him a kiss. But as he leaned forward my son bopped him on the nose.

"Some of the world's best boxers failed to get near Ali because he was so fast, but my two-year-old gave him a good thump that day. And I have the video to prove it."

Mark, now aged 19, and his proud dad will now be going to watch the new movie about the boxing legend together.

But Alek, who is looking to make a comeback like his hero, knows no actor can ever match up to the greatest boxer the world has seen.

He said: "I have heard that the actor Will Smith portrays Ali quite well in the film. But there can never be another Muhammad Ali.

"He really was The Greatest and I will never forget meeting him that day."