Muhammad Ali 'Thrilla' trunks will be re-offered at $100,000+

The trunks Muhammad Ali wore at 1975's Thrilla in Manila have re-surfaced after just 2 months

The trunks that Muhammad Ali wore in his classic "Thrilla in Manila" bout are to provide one of the many highlights in Heritage Auctions' Vintage Sports Collectibles Platinum Night at the National Sports Collectors Convention on August 2.

Ali described the match as the "closest thing to dying that I know of."

The sale comes just over two months since the same pair doubled their pre-sale estimate of $50,000 to achieve $100,000 in a May 13 sale. They will now be re-offered with an estimate of $100,000+.

They were worn by Ali in his 1975 win over Joe Frazier in Manila, the third and final high-profile match between the two heavyweight rivals whch Ali described as the "closest thing to dying that I know of."

Following the match, they were retained by Ali's trainer Drew "Bundini" Brown and were later discovered abandoned in his locker after his death. The trunks have been signed by Muhammad Ali and feature Brown's inscription: "Ali - Frazier Fight, Trilla (sic) in Manila, Pres. F. Marcos, Manila, Philippines, Oct. 1, 1975."

The current world record for Muhammad Ali memorabilia stands with the trunks that he wore in his famed 1971 defeat to Joe Frazier, which achieved $173,102 in November 2011.

Paul Fraser Collectibles has this fantastic autographed drawing of Muhammad Ali, which is available at a brilliant price. We also have a rare photograph of Ali with The Beatles, which has also been signed by the champ.

Download your free Muhammad Ali investment report to find out why he is still "the greatest" when it comes to collectibles.

Also featuring in the sale is the finest known signed Babe Ruth baseball, which has been graded PSA Mint+ 9.5.

The ball was consigned to auction by Stephen Stoll, son of William Stoll, a Hollywood publicist who worked on The Babe Ruth Story movie. It was given as a gift to Stoll by Ruth's widow, Claire Merritt Hodgson, and has been in the family ever since. Currently selling at $190,000, it is expected to bring more than $300,000 when the auction closes.

The sale has already attracted strong attention from baseball collectors as it plays host to the landmark Black Swamp Find baseball cards. Find out more here.

Recent and related articles

·  Henry Cooper's Lonsdale belt makes $75,640 at Bonhams | 1 June 2012

·  Muhammad Ali boxing trunks from 'Thrilla' auction for $100,000 | 14 May 2012

·  Olympic memorabilia auction record up 126.4% in 12 months | 19 April 2012

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Images: Heritage Auctions