Muhammad Ali gloves raise boxing auction record by 123%
Two pairs of bout-worn Muhammad Ali gloves have sold for an identical $386,000
Two pairs of important Muhammad Ali-worn gloves have set a new auction record at a November 30sale in California.
It wasn't until 1967 that Cassius Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali
Both pairs - which originate from 1964 and 1971 - sold for $385,848, after being offered with a minimum bid of $150,000. Together they now share the world record for the most valuable piece of boxing memorabilia ever sold at auction.
The previous record price was held by the trunks that Ali wore in the Fight of the Century, which sold for $173,102 at the same auction house in November 2011 - representing a 122.9% improvement for the world record in 12 months.
The 1964 gloves were worn by Ali in his famous bout against Sonny Liston. Fighting under his birth name, Cassius Clay, the Louisville Lip secured his first heavyweight title, knockingthe slugger Liston out in the seventh round.
Ali would eventually beat Frazier at 1975's Thrilla in Manila
The second pair originates from theFight of the Century - Ali's 1971 bout against Joe Frazier - which is widely regarded as the greatest fight in boxing history. Ali would eventually lose the contest, but only after a gruelling 15 rounds against his fearsome opponent.
The gloves were consigned from the estate of Ali's personal trainer Angelo Dundee, and profits will benefit the Muhammad Ali Foundation as well as contributing to the care of Dundee's daughter, who suffers from multiple sclerosis.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a Muhammad Ali signed drawing for sale. Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for more of the latest news on sports memorabilia collecting.
