Spring Premier Auction 2014
Wed, Apr 30, 2014 08:00PM EDT - Sun, May 18, 2014 12:30PM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 972
LEROY NEIMAN SIGNED "FIGHT OF THE CENTURY" (MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER I - MARCH 8, 1971) POSTER
Sold for
$2,772
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
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| $0 | $10 |
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
| $300,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
Awesome LeRoy Neiman "Fight of the Century" poster signed by the late renowned artist himself. "The Fight of the Century" was the promotional nickname given to the first boxing match between World Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier (26-0 23 KO's) and challenger Muhammad Ali (31-0 25 KO's) held on March 8 1971 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The fight lived up to every bit of the hype as it went the distance. Ali dominated early before Frazier came on strong in the later rounds. By the 11th most had the fight scored even. By the 14th Frazier was ahead on all three judges' cards. In the 15th Frazier landed a tremendous left hook that brought Ali to the canvas. Ali his right jaw swollen grotesquely jumped up quickly and managed to stay on his feet for the rest of the round despite continued punishment from Frazier. Ultimately Frazier retained the title by unanimous decision dealing Ali his first professional loss.
The powerful 24" by 36" poster depicts Muhammad Ali (without gloves) face-to-face with champion Joe Frazier (wearing gloves). The top of the poster reads "JOE FRAZIER vs. MUHAMMAD ALI - WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP - MADISON SQUARE GARDEN / MAR. 8 1971". Printed in the lower-right corner are LeRoy Neiman's facsimile signature and the year he created the original ('71). Neiman has signed above the facsimile signature in 8/10 black ink "To David - LeRoy Neiman '98". Overall the poster is in excellent condition with some very minor creasing near the bottom. It will still frame beautifully. The poster was a personal gift from LeRoy Nieman to our consignor David Kohn (see photo of them together in Neiman's apartment).
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
Note about consignor: David Kohn is the nephew of the late Marvin Kohn who served as Deputy Commissioner of Boxing in New York for 38 years (1951-1989). Marvin's list of associates and friends during his career included virtually the who's who of boxing from Ali Frazier Angelo Dundee and George Foreman to Jack Dempsey Gene Tunney Floyd Patterson and Marvin Hagler. When Kohn died in 1994 Ali wrote "I don't remember the first time I met Marvin Kohn. It seems I always knew him...He made everyone feel special. I'm sorry he's gone." Upon his passing the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named an award after him: "The Marvin Kohn Good Guy Award" is given each year to a special contributor to the sport of boxing. Past winners include Marvin's close friends Foreman Gerry Cooney and LeRoy Neiman.
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