C.1980-81 MUHAMMAD ALI AUTOGRAPHED EVERLAST ROBE ATTRIBUTED TO TRAINING USAGE

ADDENDUM: heading has been updated from catalog. This robe dates to post-1980.

Featured here is a post-1980 Muhammad Ali signed Everlast robe which may have been used in training or media appearances during the final two years of his boxing career. After defeating Leon Spinks in a Sept. 1980 rematch to claim an unprecedented 3rd heavyweight title, Ali briefly retired from competition in July 1979. The desire for a 4th heavyweight crown brought Ali back for an Oct. 1980 bout against Larry Holmes. The GOAT was a shell of his former self at this juncture, starting to show signs of the Parkinson's disease with which he would be diagnosed officially in 1984. Nevertheless, the Holmes fight went on as scheduled and the result was not pretty for The Champ as the fight was stopped in the 11th round. Ali had one last fight in the Bahamas on Dec. 11, 1981, against Trevor Berbick before finally stepping away from the ring for good.

The cream white robe has black trim and is full-calf length. On the reverse in black block lettering is "MUHAMMAD ALI" with his first arched over his surname. The robe is lightly soiled and its original colors have faded a bit with age. Ali's autograph over the front right waist pocket in 7-8/10 blue marker has bled slightly into the satin material. Other than the external Everlast logo on the left front breast pocket, the only other labeling is a non-descript "Dry Clean Only" flag tag behind the collar. Comes with its black fabric belt, which appears to be the original. The early 1980's dating of this robe stems from its design and specs, according to a boxing expert we consulted. This could be one of the last robes that The Greatest ever trained in.