This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2017
Rare original closed-circuit, large-format advertising poster from Muhammad Ali's Heavyweight Championship bout against Ernie Terrell on February 6, 1967 at the Houston Astrodome. It was a tumultuous time for Ali as he was under fire for dodging his military obligations. The fight went 15 round with Ali winning by unanimous decision. Sports
Illustrated columnist Tex Maule described it as "a wonderful
demonstration of boxing skill and a barbarous display of
cruelty." Terrell had angered Ali before the fight for repeatedly calling him Cassius Clay, and as Ali pounded during the fight he taunted Terrell with "Uncle Tom!
What's my name! Uncle Tom! What's my name!"
We can find no record of another example of this closed-circuit poster to have surfaced in the hobby, and only a couple of on-site Al-Terrell posters have ever been sold publicly. The black background has the faces of both fighters with a white pyramid-like design at center depicting a spotlight shining down on the ring. "The Battle of the Champions" in yellow headlines the top with "Cassius Clay World Champion" and "Ernie Terrell WBA Champion" below their faces. The advertising message reads "Via Early Bird - On Larger Than Life Theatre Vision". The poster itself measures 30" by 40" and comes in VG overall condition with several creases, stains and tears from age and wear, which makes sense based its rarity. Laid flat and displayed under Plexiglas, it still presents very favorably. It is framed nicely to overall dimensions of 32" by 42".