This group lot honors two historic Muhammad Ali fights Ali-Sonny Liston II and Ali-Frazier I ("The Fight of the Century") with the following: a limited edition Fossil "The Greatest" wristwatch tin and Ali-signed photo set encased in a beautiful original wooden presentation box; and a pair of commemorative gold Everlast gloves each stamped with the venue event date and match-up.

Less than a year after perhaps the most famous name change in American history Muhammad Ali--the recent Islam convert who denounced his "slave" name Cassius Clay--faced Sonny Liston in a memorable rematch in Lewiston Maine on May 25 1965. With the WBC Heavyweight Title on the line Ali followed up his TKO victory in Clay-Liston I with a more traditional knockout in Ali-Liston II albeit not without much controversy. Ali's mysterious knockout blow in the first round became known as the "Phantom Punch" because few onlookers claim to have actually seen or heard the contact. Either Ali was too quick or Liston was caught off-balance. Whatever the case it was one of the shortest heavyweight title fights in history lasting barely two minutes.

The first Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier fight took place March 8 1971 at Madison Square Garden and was hyped as "The Fight of the Century." Man did it live up to the expectations! Ali dominated the early rounds before Frazier stated to come on strong. By the 11th most scored the fight even. But by the 14th Frazier was ahead on all three judges' cards. In the 15th and final round 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. At the end of the fight Frazier had retained the title by a unanimous decision dealing Ali his first professional loss.

Printed in black on each Everlast gold boxing glove (top to bottom) is 'MADISON SQUARE GARDEN - WORLD'S HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP - MARCH 8 1971 - JOE FRAZIER VS. MUHAMMAD ALI - EVERLAST-ingly yours'. They are in pristine almost brand new condition. The Fossil watch has a metallic face (made of brass or bronze) engraved intricately on the front '3 TIME WORLD CHAMPION MUHAMMAD ALI' with an artistic depiction of his face. The black wristband is made of fine genuine leather. It comes displayed inside the wood box within the base of a 2 1/2" by 5 1/2" tin container with an Ali photo-themed lid for the tin container displayed to the left. Perhaps the most impressive part of whole watch ensemble is the outside of the 8 1/4" by 9 1/4" and 2" thick wooden box--a matted and glass-enclosed 5 1/2" by 6 1/2" image of Neil Liefer's iconic black and white shot of Ali standing over Liston after delivering the knockout "Phantom Punch." (Please note that one of the four wooden side panels of the top of the box--the right one to be exact--has become unglued. It is in excellent condition just needs to be reattached.) Ali has signed the image in splendid 10/10 silver paint pen. The box and watch set is a limited edition 2025/7500 piece. Just an awesome grouping of collectibles to honor "The Greatest" fighter who ever lived.

Watch/box/photo set comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Fossil confirming its limited edition series. This COA is displayed so that it appears when the box is opened.

Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.