Muhammad Ali born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer, activist, entertainer and philanthropist. Nicknamed the Greatest, he is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated figures of the 20th century, frequently ranked as the best heavyweight boxer and greatest athlete of the century.
Ali was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He began training as an amateur boxer at age 12. At 18, he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics and turned professional later that year. He became a Muslim after 1961. He won the world heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston in a major upset on February 25, 1964, at age 22. On March 6, 1964, he announced that he no longer would be known as Cassius Clay but as Muhammad Ali. In 1966, Ali refused to be drafted into the military, citing his religious beliefs and ethical opposition to the Vietnam War. He was found guilty of draft evasion, so he faced 5 years in prison and was stripped of his boxing titles. He stayed out of prison as he appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, which overturned his conviction in 1971, but he had not fought for nearly four years and lost a period of peak performance as an athlete. Ali's actions as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War made him an icon for the larger counter culture generation, and he was a very high-profile figure of racial pride for African Americans during the civil rights movements and throughout his career. As a Muslim, Ali was initially affiliated with Elijah Muhammad’s, Nation of Islam (NOI). He later disavowed the NOI, adhering to Sunni Islam, and supporting racial integration like his former mentor Malcom X.
Outside the ring, Ali attained success as a musician, where he received two Grammy nominations. He also featured as an actor and writer, releasing two autobiographies. Ali retired from boxing in 1981 and focused on religion, philanthropism and activism. In 1984, he made public his diagnosis of Parkinson Syndrome, which some reports attribute to boxing-related injuries, though he and his specialist physicians disputed this. He remained an active public figure globally, but in his later years made fewer public appearances as his condition worsened, and he was cared for by his family. Ali died on June 3, 2016.
Item Description
In todays' blog post we are featuring a very special Mohammed Ali item from our collection of vintage sports memorabilia , this is an authentic autographed black and white portrait and a handwritten note by legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali. The note is written in what appears to be a paper napkin with a fine point black ink felt tip pen and reads “To Mr. Weiner, from Muhammad Ali. Service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on Earth. December 3, 1975. Peace.” The photograph renders a young Ali in his boxing attire, it si signed ‘Muhammad Ali’ on the top right corner with a black ink felt tip pen. This item is in excellent condition and is professionally framed with black, gray and blue mats in a barnished wooden frame.
Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) was an American former heavyweight champion boxer and one of the greatest sporting figures of the 20th century. An Olympic gold medalist and the first fighter to capture the heavyweight title three times, Ali won 56 times in his 21-year professional career. Ali’s outspokenness on issues of race, religion and politics made him a controversial figure during his career, and the heavyweight’s quips and taunts were as quick as his fists. Born Cassius Clay Jr., Ali changed his name in 1964 after joining the Nation of Islam.
This item will ship exactly as photographed in Very Fine Overall Condition. It also comes with: FREE $10,000.00 Certified Insurance Appraisal, & Certificate of Authenticity!
Appraisal Value: $10,000.00 Our Price: $2,995.00
This piece can be viewed at our Brand New gallery APR57 at 200 W 57th Street, New York, NY 10019. We ship anywhere around the world!
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