Muhammad Ali’s most iconic boxing glove is expected to fetch up to £6 million when it goes up for auction.
The glove was worn by Ali, known at the time as Cassius Clay, during his famous 1963 bout against British fighter Henry Cooper in London.
In that fight, Ali was famously knocked down in the fourth round but was saved by the bell.
A controversial delay occurred before the fifth round started after a mysterious tear appeared in Ali’s left glove.
Angelo Dundee, his corner man, later admitted to deliberately widening the tear with his finger to buy Ali more recovery time.
Ali, then fighting under his birth name Cassius Clay, eventually went on to defeat Cooper due to cuts.
The glove is now being sold through Stuart Bull Auctions in Chard, Somerset, and is predicted to bring in a seven-figure sum.
After the fight, the glove was returned to the manufacturer, Baily’s, for inspection. It stayed securely stored on their premises until it was later acquired by the family of the current vendor.
The auction house has compiled a comprehensive 65-page document of research that includes correspondence from the factory and a detailed list of the staff involved in producing the glove.
Baily’s, a tannery founded in the 19th century specializing in sheepskin rugs and gloves, expanded into making sports equipment during the 20th century.
They manufactured boxing gloves for fighters like Clay, Henry Cooper, and Floyd Patterson.
Ali’s glove is made from aniline cape hair sheepskin and has a striking cerise-red color. It retains its original cotton lining, cotton twill weave lace, and D-shaped thumb guard.
A 2.5 cm tear, thought to be the one from the infamous delay during the fight, is still visible on the glove’s knuckle.
The gloves used for the match were commissioned by the British Boxing Board of Control and produced by Baily’s, according to a report by VKNews24.
It’s believed the right-hand glove is currently owned by the Qatari Royal Family.
The left glove comes with various pieces of documentation, including a handwritten letter from the late Richard Mayers, the Managing Director of Baily’s, confirming its authenticity.
In the letter, Mayers wrote: “I declare this glove to be genuine. I’ve always been aware of its significance, safety and provenance.”
Additionally, the sale includes a copy of Mayers’ CV, the deeds to the Baily’s factory, and a black-and-white photograph (22 x 17cm) from the Mirror Press showing Cooper knocking Ali to the canvas in the fourth round.
The glove is part of an online auction set to conclude on October 31. Auctioneer Stuart Bull believes the glove, which is currently being stored in a secure vault, could sell for more than £4 million.
“We estimate somewhere between £4 million and £6 million, maybe even higher,” Bull stated.
Muhammad Ali, widely considered one of the greatest athletes in history, passed away in 2016 at the age of 76.
SOURCE: Muhammad Ali’s most famous boxing glove set to sell for £6m
