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1974 Muhammad Ali Signed Sparring Gloves Worn in Training for "The Rumble in the Jungle" Fight vs. George Foreman. ...
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Description
1974 Muhammad Ali Signed Sparring Gloves Worn in Training for "The Rumble in the Jungle" Fight vs. George Foreman. It's arguably the most famous bout in boxing history, a dramatic battle in Kinshasa, Zaire pitting the seemingly irresistible ferocity of reigning Heavyweight Champion George Foreman against the wily resurgence of underdog Ali, a former belt-holder aiming for his second trip to the mountain top. Like all transcendent sporting events, from the 1951 "Shot Heard 'round the World" to the 1980 "Miracle on Ice," the "Rumble in the Jungle" captivated the imagination of a populace deeply divided in its allegiances, in this case mostly related to perceptions regarding Ali's patriotism in light of his controversial Vietnam War stance, and the relative "authentic blackness" of the two combatants.We all know how the story played out--for the better part of seven rounds, Muhammad Ali leaned against the ropes in a defensive shell, weathering the whirlwind of punches that rarely found soft flesh, instead glancing off the former Champ's arms and shoulders. This "Rope-a-Dope" strategy worked like a charm, and when Ali sensed that Foreman's aggression was subsiding to exhaustion in the oppressive African heat, he unleashed his own quick fury of blows, sending the Goliath cartwheeling to the canvas for a stunning eighth-round knockout.
So any relic relating to this most famous moment in the career of boxing's most famous figure carries enormous collecting significance, and it's not hard to picture Ali reclining on the ropes of his Deer Lake training ring as he wore these gloves, preparing to weather a brutal storm before unleashing his own.
From the early 1970's, Muhammad Ali trained in Deer Lake, PA, where he this pair of black TUF-WEAR gloves during sparring for his 1974 fight against George Foreman. These 18-ounce gloves show signs of use and feature red stitching, a white lining, and handwritten markings including "ALI-74," "Deer Lake, PA." The gloves were gifted to a young visitor of the camp named Finnley Owen Parker, who lived near the camp in Deer Lake and who was a frequent visitor of the camp. His initials "FOP" are written faintly in blue paint on the right glove. Both gloves are signed by Ali in a style consistent with his 1974 autograph, and perspiration stains confirm active use. Please note: Hamilton authenticated the signatures as original, but neither PSA/DNA or Beckett were comfortable authenticating the signatures. LOA from Craig Hamilton.
Auction Info
2025 August 23 - 24 Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction #50079 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
August, 2025
23rd-24th
Saturday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 16
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