This television audio headset is a silent vestige of the greatest athlete-sportscaster combo in the history of sports: Muhammad Ali-Howard Cowell. Right from their first meeting in the late 1960’s, these two dynamic personalities brought a level of excitement and drama that broke through the “fourth wall” of televised sports. Ali’s pre-match taunts of Cosell and the ABC announcer’s caustic rebuffs became almost as exciting as the fights themselves.

     This headset was worn by Howard Cosell to broadcast “Super Fight II” - the second of the three Ali-Frazier match-ups. The anticipation for the fight was heightened by the infamous in-studio clash between the two fighters while Cosell was reviewing their previous fight live on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. Five days later on January 28, 1974, the two met in the ring at Madison Square Garden. Ringside was Howard Cosell in his famous mustard colored ABC blazer calling all the shots for the millions of viewers tuned in at home. The fight went the full 12 rounds despite Frazier being injured by a savage right from Ali early in the 2nd. Muhammad Ali won in a unanimous decision, the two men’s rivalry tied at one win apiece and setting the stage for the “Thrilla in Manila” the following year.

     This is the headset worn by Howard Cosell as he called every blow of “Super Fight II”. This treasure comes direct from the collection of Lou “Booty” Beltrami, a very close friend of Muhammad Ali. Beltrami attended almost every one of Ali’s fights from 1972-on, and fight fans may remember the boxer saying hello to “Booty” on national TV when his friend could not make it in person. The headset has been a treasured keepsake in the Bertrami family since Ali’s victory over Frazier and is being offered here for the first time. The Gaynor/Brook-Tel headset shows nice even wear from use. The bakelite plastic has some surface scuffing as do the chromed metal fittings. The wiring is still intact and the cord retains the input housing. An unbelievable piece of sports and broadcasting history that brings together the greatest athlete-sportscaster duo of all-time and it comes with a Letter of Authenticity from the family of Lou “Booty” Beltrami.

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