LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 May Sports Sig. Auction #707  / 

19369

1977 Muhammad Ali Fight Worn Gloves from Shavers

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
1977 Muhammad Ali Fight Worn Gloves from Shavers
<B>1977 Muhammad Ali Fight Worn Gloves from Shavers Bout.</B></I> "I knew what he was doing 99% of the time but I just couldn't catch him," Earnie Shavers would explain after the Madison Square Garden bout. "He was a heavyweight who moved like a lightweight. Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson were great fighters but Ali was extra-special. Just to go fifteen rounds with him was an honor." The fact of the matter is that Shavers almost did more than just that. Ali possessed one of the best chins in boxing history, but a shot in the second round almost put the Champ on the canvas, and he endured brutal punishment throughout the fight despite outpointing the challenger for the decision. Later Ali would admit that no one apart from Frazier had hurt him so badly.<BR><BR> Many close to The Greatest saw the Shavers fight as a sad turning point in Ali's career, chief among them Ali himself. "Do you know how many years I've been fighting?" Ali asked veteran boxing writer Jerry Izenberg the eve of the bout. "Do you know how tired I am? Do you have any idea how hard that man is going to beat on my head tomorrow night?" Though Ali would emerge victorious in the end, those closest to him had seen enough. His fight doctor, Ferdie Pacheco, handed in his resignation in the post-fight dressing room. "Everything is being damaged," said Pacheco. "Your brain, your kidneys, your liver, even your bowels. I can't be part of this anymore." Lamented Garden match-maker Teddy Brenner, "I never thought I'd live to see the day when Muhammad Ali's greatest strength was his ability to take a punch."<BR><BR> Here we present the Everlast gloves worn by the ring's greatest figure in his final successful Heavyweight title defense. A notarized letter from our consignor attests that these gloves were given to him personally by Ali trainer, and legend in his own right, Angelo Dundee, and an included photograph finds Ali signing the gloves for Dundee. In bold black felt tip ink, the right reads, "To Matty & John, Muhammad Ali, Sept. 29 - 77." The left, simply, "Muhammad Ali, Sept. 29 - 77." Our assumption is that "Matty" and "John" were members of the Ali staff, though we have been unable to confirm this. <BR><BR> The interiors of the gloves are yellowed with sweat, but otherwise the red leather artifacts show no damage, presenting perfectly. Stamped white coding just above the palm reads "21086 NY" on each. Original laces are present. Also included in the lot is a program from the Madison Square Garden event (VG).<BR><BR> While any fight worn equipment from this most significant of boxing figures carries tremendous historical importance, these Shavers fight gloves possess particular relevance in the story of Ali. Because as much as the Champ's boxing life was one of bravery and brilliance, it is also a cautionary tale to those fighters who think the good days can last forever. In these gloves we find both an affirmation of Ali's brilliance and a symbol of his vincibility. <I>LOA from PSA/DNA. LOA from James Spence Authentication.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Miscellaneous Collectibles, Larg (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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