SCP Auctions November 2010 Internet Auction

Though he was a highly successful amateur (he finished with a record of 100-5), Cassius Clay did not become a household name until he won the light heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Olympics, in Rome. By 1963, Clay had blazed his way through the heavyweight ranks and was nearing a title shot. After joining the Nation of Islam in 1964 Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Later that same year Ali beat Sonny Liston to become the youngest boxer (age 22) ever to take the title from a reigning heavyweight champion. These early career training gloves were originally released to the collecting public in the historic 1990 sale of the collection of Drew "Bundini Brown, the corner man, assistant trainer and closest confidant of the former Heavyweight Champ. A prominent boxing personality in his own right, Brown is also credited with coining many of Ali’s famous phrases including "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee". The lightly padded black leather gloves are tagged for the Philadelphia-based "Passon's" sporting goods store, and signed "Cassius Clay" in black marker at each wrist strap. The gloves exhibit extensive wear from the early days of Ali's ascension to pugilistic immortality. Genuine Ali fight and training used gear, and particularly those pieces dating to the early years of his storied career, remain among the most prized objects amongst collectors of historic boxing artifacts. Additionally, items that carried the provenance of the famed Ali corner man Drew “Bundini” Brown are universally revered in collecting circles. Each glove is accompanied by its own full PSA/DNA letter of authenticity (autos.)