2017 October Legends Closing November 11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/12/2017
Presented here is a Sports Illustrated issue from June 10th, 1963, signed by Muhammad Ali as “Cassius Clay”. Eight days after the publication of this issue, Ali would fight the Brit Henry Cooper in Wembley Stadium. Ali, then known by his birth name of Cassius Clay, defeated Cooper via fifth round TKO to push his record to a sterling 19-0. This victory put Clay in position to challenge Sonny Liston for the WBC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles. Clay defeated Liston handily in 1964, battering the champ until he scored a sixth round KO of “The Big Bear”. The fight against Cooper, a national hero in the UK, played a key role in propelling Ali to his status as the greatest boxer of all-time and an American icon.
Clay signed this original cover of this Sports Illustrated in black marker. He is pictured standing on the Westminster Bridge, in front of the Big Ben clock tower, his arms crossed over his chest. This item, which is encased in a 13 x 15 ½ inch framed display, comes with a LOA from JSA (B23811).