This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2018
Australian boxer Joe Bugner had risen from the canvas after one of Joe
Frazier's famously deadly left hooks to nearly record a knockdown of his
own in July of 1973, thus putting the boxing world on notice that the
dangerous heavyweight was a genuine title contender. On June 30, 1975, reigning World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali (47-2) defeated Bugner (51-6-1) in a joint WBA/WBC title fight. The 15-round bout took place at the Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Ali scored a unanimous decision over the Aussie challenger. It was Ali's final bout before the greatest war of his fabled career, "The
Thrilla in Manila."
Leading up to the pivotal bout, Ali was coached and mentored by his longtime trainer, Angelo Dundee. This lot features a pair of green satin trunks that Ali wore during the Bugner training regimen. The trunks exhibit light wear with some very minor staining on the white waistband. On the actual garment, on the left front thigh area, Dundee signed the shorts and inscribed them “Ali’s Extra training trunks," giving them unimpeachable provenance. Dundee served as Ali’s trainer from 1960 through 1981, with some time apart due to Ali’s temporary exile from boxing.
Includes copy of Dundee's letter of provenance (original seems to be misplaced; trunks were initially purchased from Heritage). Full LOA from PSA/DNA for Dundee autograph.