Consignments Wanted. Immediate need for Game Worn Jerseys, Game Used Bats, Autographs, Memorabilia of all categories. Collections big and small. Please contact Troy R. Kinunen at (414) 828-9990 or email troy@mearsonline.com
To bid on this poster and other lots in the MEARS October Sports Auction please follow this link…
http://sports.mearsonlineauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?inventoryid=83125
Recently discovered is the earliest known onsite boxing poster of World Legend, Muhammad Ali. While honing his skills which would vault him to the Heavy Weight Championship of the World, a very young, 17 year old Cassius Clay continued to rack up victories on the Louisville Golden Glove circuit.
On 10/25/59, Clay beat Cecil Payne in Louisville, KY at a benefit bout sponsored by Joe Martin for an amateur fighter that became cancer stricken. The bout was held at the Shawnee American Legion Post and raised much needed money for the care of the ill fighter, Cecil Payne.
This was the first of countless exhibition fights that Clay participated in that were registered for the next 30 years. And in all most all cases, Clay donated his entire purse to the sponsored cause.
This is the earliest known poster of Cassius Clay. A 1960 golden gloves boxing poster is the next on the chronological list, and then the onsite poster from his second fight versus Herb Siler.
Being the first poster of “The Greatest”, the historic importance of this poster is unmatched.
Measuring 22” x 28”, the poster remains in excellent plus condition. Professional cleaning, pressing and restoration to remove surface staining has preserved this early boxing relic for future generations.
At the time of this listing, this is only the second known example of this poster, with the other example housed in the country’s largest Muhammad Ali collection, and not available for sale.