Top 5 most expensive items of Muhammad Ali memorabilia

A pair of Ali trunks auctioning next month could break the world record for boxing memorabilia. Here's his top 5

Next month, a pair of boxing trunks worn by Muhammad Ali during his legendary 1975 win over Joe Frazier at the "Thrilla in Manila" will head to auction with a $25,000 reserve.

Looking at previous auction results for Ali collectibles, it seems likely that the shorts will comfortably surpass this price and potentially beat the world record for an item of boxing memorabilia sold at auction.

Take a look at the current top five most expensive items of Ali memorabilia - which are also the five most valuable items of boxing memorabilia ever sold - and see why we're so confident they will perform well.

5) Ali's trunks from the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle against George Foreman - $57,500

In 1997, the trunks Ali wore during the Rumble in the Jungle against George Foreman were sold at auction for $57,500.

The historic bout, which took place in 1974, saw Ali knock out then heavyweight champion Foreman in the eighth round.

4) Boxing gloves worn by Ali in 1963 fight against Henry Cooper - $57,770

In 2001, Christie's sold a pair of boxing gloves worn by Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) during his 1963 fight against Henry Cooper, who would go on to unsuccessfully challenge Ali for the world heavyweight championship in 1966.

Boxing gloves worn by Ali during his 1963 fight against Henry Cooper

The gloves achieved $57,770.

3) Rumble in the Jungle shoes - $59,700

The shoes worn by Ali during the Rumble in the Jungle against George Foreman were sold for $59,700 to an anonymous bidder in 1997.

2) Fight robe from the Rumble in the Jungle - $156,500

Ali's robe, worn prior to his victory against Foreman in the 1974 fight last appeared at auction in October 1997.

The white robe, which featured African style patterns and beading, realised $156,500.

1) Fight of the Century Trunks - $173,102

The most expensive item of Muhammad Ali memorabilia - and a boxing memorabilia world record - are the trunks he wore during his first fight against Joe Frazier, at Madison Square Garden in 1971.

Muhammad Ali's Fight of the Century trunks

The fight was Ali's first in nearly four years after he was stripped of his boxing licence for refusing to be conscripted to the US Army during the Vietnam War, based on his religious beliefs and opposition to the conflict.

Often recalled as "the fight of the century", the match saw Ali's first defeat of his professional career and the beginning of one of the most famous boxing rivalries in history.

The trunks sold for $173,102 in November 2011.

Recent and related articles

Will Muhammad Ali boxing trunks from "Thrilla" break $173,102 record? | 20 March 2012

Muhammad Ali memorabilia offers investors 13.38% pa | 10 January 2012

Muhammad Ali memorabilia offers respite from falling FTSE investments | 27 December 2012

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Images: Christie's