11/23/2016 12:35 AM PST BY TMZ STAFF
EXCLUSIVE
Float like a butterfly, sting like a … tree?
Check out this tree carving New Jersey artist James O’Neal made of Muhammad Ali … a piece that took roughly 6 months from start to finish.
O’Neal says he was inspired by the outpouring of love for the boxing icon after he passed away — and felt the walnut tree he recently cut down was the perfect canvas.
It’s not the first fighter O’Neal has carved — he also sculpted a Conor McGregor piece.
So, who’s next? O’Neal says he wants to do a female fighter … but not Ronda Rousey. He’s all about Cyborg.
