This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/1/2012
Throughout his long career, LeRoy Neiman has painted dozens of sports legends including Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan and even Secretariat. But his association with and depictions of Muhammad Ali provide his most enduring legacy as a sports artist.
Neiman’s association with Muhammad Ali dates back to 1962. The artist met the fighter in the dressing room in the St. Nicholas Arena in New York City, before Clay defeated Billy Daniels. Neiman sketched the young heavyweight sitting on the rubbing table. Clay immediately showed his own interest in art by asking to make a drawing of himself at the bottom of Neiman's drawing. This was the beginning of a long relationship between the artist and the prize fighter. The artist frequently sketched and painted the athlete in training and at his major bouts around the world, constantly sketching, drawing and painting. Ali often took up the brush himself, and did a number of prediction drawings for Neiman before big fights.
Leroy Neiman’s popular work entitled “The Red Boxer” is presented here in the form of a limited edition serigraph (#186/250). Neiman’s bold pencil signature appears in the bottom right margin. The image captured Ali’s epic battle with Joe Frazier from the historic 1971 “Fight of The Century” at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Some light wear around the edges and corners are insignificant to the item’s overall display quality. Once framed and matted it will become a stunning display piece for all to admire. EXMT or better. Measures 26" by 20".