This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/21/2006.
Voted "Sportsman of the Century" by Sports Illustrated, Muhammad Ali is considered by most to be the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time and one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. Cassius Clay Jr. was born January 17, 1942 and won his first professional fight by the age of 18. Nearly no one gave him Ali a chance against Liston and it was during the weigh in before the fight that Ali declared he would "Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee." On February 25, 1964, Ali beat Liston and became the Heavyweight Champion of the World, a title he would hold three times over his glorious career. Ali retired permanently in 1981, with a career record of 56 wins (37 by knockout) and 5 losses. This is a bronze statue of Ali measuring 19-1/4" x 16" x 10-1/2". It depicts Ali in a semi crouching boxers stance, with his right hand tucked into his chin, his left looking as if it were on its way to striking an upper cut and his knees slightly bent. It shows great detail in Ali's facial expression and also his sculpted muscle tone. The exquisite detail is also apparent on the boxing gloves, trunks and high top shoes. It is autographed on the bronze portion of the base, directly under the Ali statue, in black marker rating a solid 8. There is a small 1-1/2" x 4" black plaque beneath the autograph reading "THE GREATEST" with Ali's facsimile signature in gold etching. On the rear of the bronze base is "JOE OLMOS 1973" etched. There is a solid wood base with a gold plaque on the front reading "IN THE FELL CLUTCH OF CIRCUMSTANCE I HAVE NOT WINCED OR CRIED ALOUD UNDER THE BLUDGEONINGS OF CHANCE MY HEAD IS BLOODY BUT UNBOWED. 'INVICTUS' BY W.E. HENLEY". The statue is in overall excellent condition and is accompanied by a photograph of Ali being presented the statue and a LOA from James Spence Authentication.