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HSC: 1958 Cassius Clay Fight Worn Trunks Muhammad

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
HSC: 1958 Cassius Clay Fight Worn Trunks Muhammad
<B>1958 Cassius Clay Golden Gloves Fight Worn Trunks.</B></I> Given Muhammad Ali's status as Sportsman of the Century, a title bestowed upon him by the definitive athletic periodical "Sports Illustrated," a strong argument could be made that this fantastic relic represents one of the most important pieces in the sports memorabilia collecting hobby. Baseball's equivalent would be Babe Ruth's Baltimore Orioles jersey. In football, perhaps Red Grange's earliest University of Illinois jersey could compare. And while these hypothetical "Holy Grail" garments almost certainly have long since returned to the earth from whence they came, somehow the trunks worn by the sixteen-year old Cassius Clay as a Golden Gloves competitor have managed to live on. Heritage is supremely honored to offer the earliest known Muhammad Ali fight worn trunks here today.<BR><BR> A full six years before Cassius Clay wrested the title of Heavyweight Champion from the grip of underworld goon Sonny Liston at the Miami Beach Convention Hall, the boy who would be "The Greatest" suited up in these white satin trunks as he battled to a victory in the the Light Heavyweight division of the Chicago Golden Gloves Championships on March 5, 1958. Though his greatest amateur achievement would come two years later as he claimed the Light Heavyweight Gold Medal at the Rome Olympic Games, this 1958 Golden Gloves win was his first real taste of boxing glory, a fact that he proudly noted with his black ink inscription on the right leg, reading, "To Mary From Cassius Clay, Champ! 1958." This autograph is obviously one of the earliest known from Ali, if not the very earliest, bar none. It remains in strong 8/10 condition in terms of boldness. <BR><BR> The trunks are otherwise charmingly and properly nondescript, appropriate for a poor kid from Kentucky trying to make good. The blue waistband has faded to a cool purple, and where the center label was removed appears a block-lettered "CLAY." Penned in the same block lettered style on the blue side striping are five letters applied by Clay to show his pride in his hometown: "LOU KY." Wear is considerable, and this too is to be expected, as they were almost certainly the young Muhammad Ali's only trunks worn for competition at the time. <BR><BR> The provenance is equally spectacular, as a notarized letter from Jole Martin details. Ms. Martin is the granddaughter of Joe Martin, the Louisville policeman who took a twelve-year old Cassius under his wing and taught him the art of boxing. She explains that the trunks were once displayed at the Columbia Street Gym where Clay trained with Joe Martin, and that they derive from the collection of her grandfather. The "Mary" to whom the trunks are inscribed is believed to be a woman affiliated with the operation of the gym. <BR><BR> The trunks were acquired as part of the Joe Martin estate, which includes the incredible Golden Gloves trophies also featured in this auction. <I>LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports. Additional LOA from Steve Grad & Zach Rullo/ PSA DNA.</B></I>