This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2016
This is a marvelous historical artifact from "The Fight of the Century" that truly could lay claim to that admittedly hyperbolic bit of grandiosity. With the two great undefeated heavyweights of the era tangling in Madison Square Garden, the interest, hoopla and even hysteria could not have been more pronounced. This wonderful 8 1/2 by 11-inch, 52-page program is fairly titled "Fight of the Champions" with Frazier and Ali pictured in full color on the cover in an antiquated, ornate frame and surrounded by the heavy typefaces that were popular in the era. Most of the inside pages are black-and-white, including a special 20-page subsection that pictured Heavyweight Champions from Bob Fitzsimmons in 1897 to Sonny Liston in 1964. There are also color plates featuring Don Dunphy and Burt Lancaster, the fight announcers, the promoters and several early boxing paintings. Ali and Frazier are also featured in stunning color portraits and a 2-page color Tale of the Tape. The program presents in NM condition with no color fading whatsoever and no creases on the cover or any pages within. An example in much less favorable condition sold in our Fall 2012 Auction for $1,290. The only difference being that one came from renowned Ali trainer Angelo Dundee's personal collection and had Dundee's signature inside.