This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/6/2006.
At the young age of twelve, Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) was already on his path to boxing greatness. After his bike was stolen from in front of a department store, he was so mad that he was determined to "whoop" the thief, and entered the training ring to learn how. He was such a quick learner that by 1960, just six years after he strapped on his first pair of gloves, he took home the gold medal at the Rome Olympics in the light heavyweight division. That same year, his quick moving and hard hitting style won him his first professional match and launched him on his glorious career. In 1964, Ali's victory over Sonny Liston in six rounds catapulted him to the top of the boxing world and won him the heavyweight title for the first time. He held the title until 1967, when his refusal to enter the Vietnam draft caused the professional boxing commission to strip him of the title and ban him from fighting. Three years later Ali was back in the ring after the New York State Supreme Court ruled that he was unjustly denied a boxing license, and he began his second run at the title by beating Oscar Bonavena in his return to Madison Square Garden. Though he lost on points in the "Fight of the Century" title match against Joe Frazier the next year, he beat Frazier in a 1973 rematch before taking down new heavyweight champ George Foreman in 1974 to finally regain the title. Ali would hold onto the belt for the better part of the next five years, downing Frazier for a second time in the memorable "Thrilla in Manilla" in the process before retiring in 1979 and vacating his title. Not able to resist the urge to box however, Ali came out of retirement for two matches in the early 80s, but his old frame and deteriorating health resulted in two losses. Nevertheless, today, more than twenty years after his last fight, this boxing legend who could "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee" is still regarded by most as the greatest heavyweight champion of all time. Offered in this lot is a pair of white MacGregor trunks with outstanding provenance worn by Ali late in his career. They have a red waistband, two red stripes on the legs and say MacGregor on the front of the waistband. Signed on the right leg in black marker by Ali's longtime cornerman, Angelo Dundee, he added, "Worn By The Greatest Ali." In addition, a beautiful, vintage Muhammad Ali signature adorns the left leg of the shorts along with a sketch of a boxing ring done by Ali, also in black marker. Both signatures are very clear and grade a strong 9. They come with a letter of authenticity from James Spence Authentication and are also authenticated by Angelo Dundee himself, which is virtually unheard of in the boxing world. This provenance is the best of the best.