Offered here is an original piece of LeRoy Neiman artwork depicting Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Neiman illustrated this piece on January 28, 1974, the date of Ali-Frazier II. The second Ali-Frazier fight came three years after their seminal first battle, won by Ali. The two heavyweights came into Madison Square Garden with Ali a slight favorite, and The Greatest did not disappoint. Over twelve rounds Ali ground out a unanimous decision victory of the smaller fighter Frazier. Ali did not allow Frazier to fight in his favored style, instead repeatedly clinched Smokin’ Joe, which prevented him getting into any sort of rhythm with his fearsome left hand.

       This intense, meticulous fight preceded one of the most iconic fights in boxing history, The Thrilla in Manila. The third iteration of the Ali-Frazier rivalry, the bout in sweltering Manila ended with Ali scoring a 14th round TKO of Frazier, ending the rivalry at 2 victories for Ali and one for Frazier. This illustration by Neiman, one of the most renowned American artists of the 20th century, shows Ali and Frazier butting heads from the torso up. The drawings, done with brown pencil, seem to sink back down into the canvas. Much like the Ali-Frazier fights, the images of these two icons seem to transcend the fighters themselves, as if the Neiman is drawing this from a memory of the two fighters. Beautifully shaded, this picture does not so much evoke images of the Ali-Frazier fights but memories of the fierce rivalry Ali and Frazier engaged of outside of the ring.

       Neiman inscribed “Ali-Frazier II Mad. Sq. Garden N.Y.” and signed the illustration in gray pencil. This piece is a departure from the traditional works of Neiman, who often favored bold colors and abstract impressions of athletes and crowds. Nevertheless, this is one of Neiman’s most iconic pieces and simply demands attention. The piece itself is 11x10” and comes in a 22x21” frame. This item comes with a PSA/DNA LOA (AB11525).

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