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Lot # 287: 1974 Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman Signed Original Fight of the Century Pennant (PSA)

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Displayed is a 1974 Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman original World Heavyweight Championship pennant. The blue felt pennant is 29" long. The pennant has colorful depictions of Ali and Foreman boxing in a "ring." In white lettering, the pennant reads, "Muhammad Ali/Cassius Clay vs George Foreman/For the Heavyweight Championship of the World/FIGHT of the CENTURY." This fight actually became better known as "The Rumble in the Jungle," and the 1971 World Heavyweight Championship fight in New York City's Madison Square Garden, when an undefeated Joe Frazier defeated an undefeated Muhammad Ali is now better known as "The Fight of the Century." Ali vs. Foreman fight was held in Zaire, an African country now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The much-anticipated fight matched the then World Heavyweight Champion, in Foreman, against the former Heavyweight World Champion and the #1 contender, Ali. In the beginning of the fight, Ali tried to get Foreman to chase him and have the champion tire himself out. But Foreman cut off the ring, and Ali, against the orders of trainer Angelo Dundee, in his corner, went to a strategy of using the ropes, and often "wrestling " with the pursuing Foreman. Eventually, Foreman tired, and in the eighth round, Ali hit Foreman with a powerful left hook and followed that with a tremendous straight right that staggered Foreman, who staggered and then fell on his back and could not beat the count in time to get up. Ali became only the second Heavyweight Champion to regain his title - the other being Floyd Patterson. Ali signed the pennant, over his image, in blue ink from a fine tip marker. The 1974 Ali vs. Foreman bout, whether referred to as "The Fight of the Century" or "The Rumble in the Jungle," was an historic boxing event, and the offered Ali signed pennant, in using both Muhammad Ali and his previous name of Cassius Clay, makes the pennant especially unusual, and a prized item of boxing memorabilia. Comes with PSA LOA.

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