Alphonse Halimi was a boxer and a brawler all rolled into one. Time Magazine once wrote of him: "Alphonse went to work with a street fighter's will. A grown-up guttersnipe from the back alleys of Algeria. He worked like a heavyweight swung looping haymakers careless of where they landed confident that they hurt." He won more than 100 matches before being noticed by a trainer and being asked to come to France. He became French amateur bantamweight champion in 1953 1954 and 1955. In 1955 he was champion of the Mediterranean Games and turned professional. On April 1 1957 at the Vlodrome d'hiver in Paris Halimi became world bantamweight champion by defeating the Italian deaf-mute boxer Mario d'Agata. This lot includes an important pair of Halimis fight-worn scarlet red Benlee leather boxing gloves the same pair of gloves he wore on November 6 1957 at Wrigley Field Los Angeles when he gained the unified title in the bantamweight category as well as $50000. He defeated Raul Macias (Ratn) before a crowd of 20000 spectators who for the most part had favored Macias. Macias lost his belt by a 15 round split decision with scores of 144141 for Macias and 148141 147138 for Halimi. The gloves which are in surprisingly good condition sport tan leather edging white cotton fabric lining and cotton laces.

Includes a Letter of Provenance from the Helms Athletic Foundation/LA84 Collection.