This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/1/2012
Award-winning photographer George Kalinsky has become one of the most famous image makers of our time. World-renowned, he has captured some of the greatest moments and faces in the world of sports, entertainment, and politics. As the Official Photographer of Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, he has created many of the most iconic images of famous people. In the offered piece, Kalinsky captures the essence of perhaps the greatest boxing rivalry in history. This candid photo shows Muhammad Ali disrupting Joe Frazier's preparation routine before their 1971 "Fight of the Century" in New York City. The two boxing legends went on to battle three times, although this was the first of the match-ups, on March 8, 1971 at Madison Square Garden. That fight was won by Frazier, who handed Ali his first-ever professional loss. The oversized 35” by 30" matted and framed photo by Kalinsky was produced from his original negative and printed on the finest photo paper. It is signed boldly by Ali and Frazier in the bottom margin in black marker (the last of the large signatures for Ali) and has been additionally pencil signed by Kalinsky and numbered “#82/250” from an extremely limited edition. The superb quality framing and matting includes a descriptive plaque at the bottom. The two champs would revisit their rivalry in both 1974 and '75, with Ali exacting revenge in both.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.